Latvian president to government talks

The Latvian president today said he would hold talks with three candidates to form a new government after the resignation of …

The Latvian president today said he would hold talks with three candidates to form a new government after the resignation of Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis's cabinet today.

President Valdis Zatlers said he was seeking a stable government for the former Soviet Baltic state, where inflation has soared and the economy has been widely seen as overheating.

Mr Kalvitis resigned today, honouring a pledge to quit on December 5th after four ministers left the government or were dismissed following two large street protests over the attempted sacking of the head of the anti-corruption bureau.

Mr Zatlers said he would nominate a prime minister to form a new government after talks with three potential candidates, including Interior Minister Ivars Godmanis and former Finance Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, a member of the opposition.

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"I do not want to rush the process, but I cannot delay it either," Mr Zatlers said.

The People's Party, the largest party of the outgoing ruling coalition, has not named a candidate yet but the choice is expected to be between Finance Minister Oskars Spurdzins and Culture Minister Helena Demakova.