Opera singer nominated for Latvia's new culture minister

Source: Xinhua| 2019-06-10 21:13:24|Editor: xuxin
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RIGA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Opera singer and politician Nauris Puntulis has been picked as a candidate for Latvia's next culture minister, the National Alliance, a junior partner in Latvia's center-right coalition, announced at a news conference Monday.

The National Alliance had to choose a new culture minister because Latvia's current Culture Minister Dace Melbarde has been elected to the European Parliament.

Although there were quite a few potential candidates for the vacant job, the National Alliance faction in parliament unanimously endorsed Puntulis' nomination, Raivis Dzintars, leader of the right-wing party, told reporters, citing the candidate's work experience as the culture minister's adviser and long-time membership in the party.

"I believe that my competences and experience enable me to do this job well," Puntilis said. He named raising wages for employees in creative industries and strengthening the system of cultural education as his main priorities.

Puntulis, an opera tenor, is still a soloist at the Latvian National Opera. Since 2013, he is also a member of the Riga city council where he chairs the National Alliance faction.

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