RIGA — The possibility of a merger between two languishing parties, the People’s Party and the Latvia’s First/Latvia’s Way, appears to be gathering momentum based on a rash of announcements by party members and political insiders.
Māris Kučinskis, a leading member of the People’s Party, told the Delfi news portal Tuesday that party leader Andris Šķēle would soon meet with [private_supervisor]Ainars Šlesers to discuss ways in which to cooperate.
“Closer cooperation between the People’s Party and Latvia’s First/Latvia’s Way is possible since there’s something to consolidate around,” said Kučinskis, adding that the new Unity Party served as an example of how disparate parties could consolidate around an idea.
Edgars Zalāns, minister for regional development of member of the People’s Party, also said Tuesday that despite their ideological differences, the two parties could unite for the sake of Latvia’s economy. “Things will become clearer in March, and by July everything will be known,” Zalāns told LNT in an interview.
Fines could be avoided by merge
The real reason for them to merge, however, may be even simpler. Both parties were found guilty of violating the law on campaign expenses and were hit with enormous fines for exceeding spending limits during the last national elections in 2006. The People’s Party must pay over 1 million lats (€1.4 million) and Latvia’s First/Latvia’s Way 528,000 lats (€754,000).
Yet by merging they might be able to avoid the fines, said former anti-corruption bureau chief, Aleksejs Loskutovs, who issued the fines. The merger “is due to the fact that both parties are more than likely to lose their court appeals against the fine,” the former anti-corruption boss was quoted as saying.
By merging into a new entity, the parties can probably avoid paying the fine, Loskutovs said.
Both Šķēle and Šlesers are widely considered oligarchs in Latvia, by virtue of their personal wealth and far-reaching influence. If in the past the two men were rivals, political necessity — and the common enemy in the New Era party — has drawn them closer in recent months. Also, their parties are extremely unpopular and right now would not pass the 5 percent threshold to gain parliamentary seats, according to the latest opinion polls. [/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]Ainars Šlesers to discuss ways in which to cooperate.
“Closer cooperation between the People’s Party and Latvia’s First/Latvia’s Way is possible since there’s something to consolidate around,” said Kučinskis, adding that the new Unity Party served as an example of how disparate parties could consolidate around an idea.
Edgars Zalāns, minister for regional development of member of the People’s Party, also said Tuesday that despite their ideological differences, the two parties could unite for the sake of Latvia’s economy. “Things will become clearer in March, and by July everything will be known,” Zalāns told LNT in an interview.
Fines could be avoided by merge
The real reason for them to merge, however, may be even simpler. Both parties were found guilty of violating the law on campaign expenses and were hit with enormous fines for exceeding spending limits during the last national elections in 2006. The People’s Party must pay over 1 million lats (€1.4 million) and Latvia’s First/Latvia’s Way 528,000 lats (€754,000).
Yet by merging they might be able to avoid the fines, said former anti-corruption bureau chief, Aleksejs Loskutovs, who issued the fines. The merger “is due to the fact that both parties are more than likely to lose their court appeals against the fine,” the former anti-corruption boss was quoted as saying.
By merging into a new entity, the parties can probably avoid paying the fine, Loskutovs said.
Both Šķēle and Šlesers are widely considered oligarchs in Latvia, by virtue of their personal wealth and far-reaching influence. If in the past the two men were rivals, political necessity — and the common enemy in the New Era party — has drawn them closer in recent months. Also, their parties are extremely unpopular and right now would not pass the 5 percent threshold to gain parliamentary seats, according to the latest opinion polls. [/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]Ainars Šlesers to discuss ways in which to cooperate.
“Closer cooperation between the People’s Party and Latvia’s First/Latvia’s Way is possible since there’s something to consolidate around,” said Kučinskis, adding that the new Unity Party served as an example of how disparate parties could consolidate around an idea.
Edgars Zalāns, minister for regional development of member of the People’s Party, also said Tuesday that despite their ideological differences, the two parties could unite for the sake of Latvia’s economy. “Things will become clearer in March, and by July everything will be known,” Zalāns told LNT in an interview.
Fines could be avoided by merge
The real reason for them to merge, however, may be even simpler. Both parties were found guilty of violating the law on campaign expenses and were hit with enormous fines for exceeding spending limits during the last national elections in 2006. The People’s Party must pay over 1 million lats (€1.4 million) and Latvia’s First/Latvia’s Way 528,000 lats (€754,000).
Yet by merging they might be able to avoid the fines, said former anti-corruption bureau chief, Aleksejs Loskutovs, who issued the fines. The merger “is due to the fact that both parties are more than likely to lose their court appeals against the fine,” the former anti-corruption boss was quoted as saying.
By merging into a new entity, the parties can probably avoid paying the fine, Loskutovs said.
Both Šķēle and Šlesers are widely considered oligarchs in Latvia, by virtue of their personal wealth and far-reaching influence. If in the past the two men were rivals, political necessity — and the common enemy in the New Era party — has drawn them closer in recent months. Also, their parties are extremely unpopular and right now would not pass the 5 percent threshold to gain parliamentary seats, according to the latest opinion polls.[/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]Ainars Šlesers to discuss ways in which to cooperate.
“Closer cooperation between the People’s Party and Latvia’s First/Latvia’s Way is possible since there’s something to consolidate around,” said Kučinskis, adding that the new Unity Party served as an example of how disparate parties could consolidate around an idea.
Edgars Zalāns, minister for regional development of member of the People’s Party, also said Tuesday that despite their ideological differences, the two parties could unite for the sake of Latvia’s economy. “Things will become clearer in March, and by July everything will be known,” Zalāns told LNT in an interview.
Fines could be avoided by merge
The real reason for them to merge, however, may be even simpler. Both parties were found guilty of violating the law on campaign expenses and were hit with enormous fines for exceeding spending limits during the last national elections in 2006. The People’s Party must pay over 1 million lats (€1.4 million) and Latvia’s First/Latvia’s Way 528,000 lats (€754,000).
Yet by merging they might be able to avoid the fines, said former anti-corruption bureau chief, Aleksejs Loskutovs, who issued the fines. The merger “is due to the fact that both parties are more than likely to lose their court appeals against the fine,” the former anti-corruption boss was quoted as saying.
By merging into a new entity, the parties can probably avoid paying the fine, Loskutovs said.
Both Šķēle and Šlesers are widely considered oligarchs in Latvia, by virtue of their personal wealth and far-reaching influence. If in the past the two men were rivals, political necessity — and the common enemy in the New Era party — has drawn them closer in recent months. Also, their parties are extremely unpopular and right now would not pass the 5 percent threshold to gain parliamentary seats, according to the latest opinion polls.[/private_subscription 1 year]
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