Acceding to the prime minister's chairs would be a remarkable comeback for Šlesers after the 2006 “Jūrmalgeitas” scandal cost him his transport ministry position. Photo by Nathan Greenhalgh/Baltic Reports

RIGA — The question of who would lead the Par labu Latviju union should it triumph in the fall elections was revealed on Thursday to be Riga deputy mayor and Latvia’s First Party/Latvia’s Way head Ainārs Šlesers.

The decision, not unexpected by many Latvian political analysts was made by a vote of the union’s electoral board. People’s Party leader Andris Šķēle, himself a former prime minister, would take the role of finance minister if the party secured enough seats in the parliament.

If the pro-business tandem did pull of an upset political victory, as it remains well behind Unity, Harmony Center and the Union of Farmers and Greens in the latest polls, attaining the prime minister’s chair would be a remarkable comeback for Šlesers after the 2006 “Jūrmalgeitas” scandal cost him his transport ministry position.

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