Latvian PM Stays After No-Confidence Vote Fails

Social tensions in the small Baltic state, a European Union and NATO member since 2004, exploded into a riot on Jan. 13.

Latvia's prime minister survived a motion of no confidence on Wednesday called by opposition parties during a deep economic crisis, but it was likely he would have to expand his ruling coalition to boost public trust.

The crisis, including the need last year for a 7.5 billion euro ($9.78 billion) rescue package led by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), came on top of allegations of corruption and nepotism and caused a slump in the coalition's popularity.

Social tensions in the small Baltic state, a European Union and NATO member since 2004, exploded into a riot on Jan. 13.

"One thing is quite clear: a discussion between politicians is necessary to see if it's possible to make a wider coalition," Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis told reporters after beating the no-confidence motion following five hours of debate.

Godmanis, a veteran politician who led Latvia when it quit the former Soviet Union in 1991, has approached one opposition party to join the four-party coalition government and boost public trust in it, but was rebuffed.

He has been criticised for not doing more to take the talks further. President Valdis Zatlers, who has previously called for new faces in the government, again urged Godmanis to act.

"President Valdis Zatlers affirms that I. Godmanis must immediately and as fast as possible make changes in the cabinet of ministers," the president's office said in a statement.

Zatlers said Godmanis had to promote dialogue and listen to the viewpoints of others in society.

The largest party in the coalition, the People's Party, whose ratings also have plummeted, during the confidence debate urged Godmanis to hold talks on expanding the coalition.

Godmanis survived the motion after only 40 members of the 100-seat parliament voted to unseat him. The motion was rejected by 51 deputies with one abstaining.