On Thursday, February 11, the Saeima at its extraordinary sitting gave a vote of confidence to the new Cabinet of Ministers headed by Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis.
Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis addressed the ministers at the first ceremonial government sitting, saying that "our country does not need any turmoil at this point in time. Latvia requires clear, precisely planned reforms to be quickly implemented in a number of sectors. We must not let the words ‘standstill’ or ‘stagnation’ characterise the situation in Latvia”.
President Raimonds Vējonis wished the government of Māris Kučinskis to work as a cohesive team until the next parliamentary elections. "The new government has to work to improve the quality of life in Latvia so that each resident of Latvia feels it. I believe that you are here and are working in politics because you love our country", emphasized the President.
The government led by Māris Kučinskis will include: Minister for Defence Raimonds Bergmanis, Minister for Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister for Economics and Deputy Prime Minister Arvils Ašeradens, Minister for Finance Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Minister for Interior Rihards Kozlovskis, Minister for Education and Science Kārlis Šadurskis, Minister for Culture Dace Melbārde, Minister for Welfare Jānis Reirs, Minister for Transport Uldis Augulis, Minister for Justice Dzintars Rasnačs, Minister for Health Guntis Belēvičs, Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development Kaspars Gerhards and Minister for Agriculture Jānis Dūklavs.
The newcomers to the Cabinet of Ministers are Minister for Economics Arvils Ašeradens and Minister for Education and Science Kārlis Šadurskis. Eight ministers will retain previous posts, while three ministers will lead other ministries.
According to the Government’s Declaration, the priorities of the government of Māris Kučinskis will be economic growth, national security and national identity, improvement of the demographic situation, quality of family life and social security, reforms in education and science, as well as health care reforms.
The Declaration of the Government is available on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers (in Latvian).
Photos of today’s events at the Cabinet of Ministers.
Infographics on the composition and priorities of the government (in Latvian).
Māris Kučinskis address to Latvian parliament.
Information preprared by:
Lita Juberte
Press Secretary to the Cabinet of Ministers
Phone: 67082919; 28803639
E-mial: lita.juberte@mk.gov.lv