Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announces her resignation

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa has announced her resignation during a press conference, describing the decision as “not an easy but the right one.”

Siliņa said that Minister of Agriculture Armands Krauze had also been removed from office, adding that she would not tolerate any doubts regarding the integrity of government members, Caliber.Az reports, citing Latvian media.

The resignation letter was submitted to the Saeima just minutes before the official announcement.

The decision comes after the arrest of Krauze by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) as part of procedural actions carried out on the instructions of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Latvia’s political situation had already been strained after the coalition partner Progressives said it was ready to support a no-confidence vote against the prime minister.

Following this, the opposition United List announced plans to initiate the government’s resignation and expressed readiness to take over cabinet leadership.

Earlier, the National Alliance had also said it was prepared to form a new government.

Siliņa has led Latvia’s government since September 2023, heading the country’s 42nd Cabinet of Ministers.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov