RIGA, Oct 12 (Xinhua) -- Latvia's New Conservative Party announced its proposals on Friday for the Baltic country's next coalition government, offering to distribute ministerial portfolios among five political parties, leaving two parties in opposition.
New Conservative Party leader Janis Bordans said at a news conference that had he invited political newcomer KPV LV, liberal alliance For Development/For, right-wing National Alliance, and center-right New Unity to join his would-be government.
The proposal means that the left-wing Harmony, which won the highest number of votes in last week's general election, as well as incumbent Prime Minister Maris Kucinskis' centrist Greens and Farmers Union, would be left in opposition.
The New Conservative Party also presented its proposal for the distribution of ministerial portfolios. The New Conservative Party is claiming the position of prime minister and also wants to take control of the ministry of environment protection and regional development, as well as the interior ministry.
For Development/For has been offered the portfolios of finance, welfare and health ministers. KPV LV would be in charge of the economics and transport ministries, and the National Alliance could appoint the ministers of culture, education and science and agriculture. New Unity would get the portfolios of defense and justice ministers. The coalition would have to take a joint decision on who to appoint as Latvia's next foreign minister.
Bordans said his party expected the potential partners to respond to the proposal by the middle of next week. He also stressed that his party would not agree to broaden the government coalition and insisted on leaving the Greens and Farmers Union out.
Since election winner Harmony has not been able to attract any partners to form a majority government, the runner-up New Conservative Party has come forward and started talks with the other political parties that have won mandates in Latvia's new parliament on forming a center-right government coalition.
