RIGA — New Era’s board has decided to expel Dans Titavs, one of the party’s most influential members and closest adviser to finance minister Einars Repše, in an unexpected move revealing a rift in the party of Latvia’s prime minister.

No formal statement was made as to why the decision, which occurred the same day as New Era’s general meeting, was made, but media reports indicate that Titavs, long regarded as the gray cardinal of New Era, had become too much a loose cannon as he was apparently giving [private_supervisor]statements to Latvian media that contradicted party policy.

The decision angered Repše, for whom Titavs was a trusted adviser and confidante.

“The procedure, the motivation, and the haste with which Dans was excluded are unacceptable,” Repše was quoted as saying. “And they can’t be acceptable for any legal or democratic party or person.”

Despite the resentment, Repše reiterated that he remains faithful to New Era and did not intend to resign.

Titavs’ expulsion can also be seen as a part of a mandatory in-house cleaning effort on the even of national elections. Other parties, primarily the People’s Party, have also been busy tossing members who are seen as renegades and refuse to tow the line. The People’s Party has gone so far as to kick out two sitting lawmakers, forcing them into the opposition.

While Repše was prime minister in 2002-04, Titavs was his most trusted adviser. But many insiders felt Titavs abused his power by jealously guarding the prime minister and filtering information that reached his ears.

Although it has been charged the thankless task of slashing budget expenditures and rescuing the country from crisis, New Era has surprisingly managed to hold onto its repute — and even improve it. According to a January poll by Latvijas Fakti, the center-right New Era enjoyed a 9.9 percent approval rating — up from 5.5 percent a month earlier. The rating was second only to the center-left Harmony Center, which had an astounding 18.8 percent rating.

Analysts say that New Era has boosted its reputation in the eyes of Latvians since it represents a measure of stability in talks with international lenders, without whom the Baltic state would be doomed to insolvency.

By contrast, the People’s Party, the senior coalition party, has criticized international lenders and sabotaged agreements signed with the IMF and the EU. However, the party’s rating remains low at 3.6 percent, according to the Latvijas Fakti poll in January. [/private_supervisor] [private_subscription 1 month]statements to Latvian media that contradicted party policy.

The decision angered Repše, for whom Titavs was a trusted adviser and confidante.

“The procedure, the motivation, and the haste with which Dans was excluded are unacceptable,” Repše was quoted as saying. “And they can’t be acceptable for any legal or democratic party or person.”

Despite the resentment, Repše reiterated that he remains faithful to New Era and did not intend to resign.

Titavs’ expulsion can also be seen as a part of a mandatory in-house cleaning effort on the even of national elections. Other parties, primarily the People’s Party, have also been busy tossing members who are seen as renegades and refuse to tow the line. The People’s Party has gone so far as to kick out two sitting lawmakers, forcing them into the opposition.

While Repše was prime minister in 2002-04, Titavs was his most trusted adviser. But many insiders felt Titavs abused his power by jealously guarding the prime minister and filtering information that reached his ears.

Although it has been charged the thankless task of slashing budget expenditures and rescuing the country from crisis, New Era has surprisingly managed to hold onto its repute — and even improve it. According to a January poll by Latvijas Fakti, the center-right New Era enjoyed a 9.9 percent approval rating — up from 5.5 percent a month earlier. The rating was second only to the center-left Harmony Center, which had an astounding 18.8 percent rating.

Analysts say that New Era has boosted its reputation in the eyes of Latvians since it represents a measure of stability in talks with international lenders, without whom the Baltic state would be doomed to insolvency.

By contrast, the People’s Party, the senior coalition party, has criticized international lenders and sabotaged agreements signed with the IMF and the EU. However, the party’s rating remains low at 3.6 percent, according to the Latvijas Fakti poll in January. [/private_subscription 1 month] [private_subscription 4 months]statements to Latvian media that contradicted party policy.

The decision angered Repše, for whom Titavs was a trusted adviser and confidante.

“The procedure, the motivation, and the haste with which Dans was excluded are unacceptable,” Repše was quoted as saying. “And they can’t be acceptable for any legal or democratic party or person.”

Despite the resentment, Repše reiterated that he remains faithful to New Era and did not intend to resign.

Titavs’ expulsion can also be seen as a part of a mandatory in-house cleaning effort on the even of national elections. Other parties, primarily the People’s Party, have also been busy tossing members who are seen as renegades and refuse to tow the line. The People’s Party has gone so far as to kick out two sitting lawmakers, forcing them into the opposition.

While Repše was prime minister in 2002-04, Titavs was his most trusted adviser. But many insiders felt Titavs abused his power by jealously guarding the prime minister and filtering information that reached his ears.

Although it has been charged the thankless task of slashing budget expenditures and rescuing the country from crisis, New Era has surprisingly managed to hold onto its repute — and even improve it. According to a January poll by Latvijas Fakti, the center-right New Era enjoyed a 9.9 percent approval rating — up from 5.5 percent a month earlier. The rating was second only to the center-left Harmony Center, which had an astounding 18.8 percent rating.

Analysts say that New Era has boosted its reputation in the eyes of Latvians since it represents a measure of stability in talks with international lenders, without whom the Baltic state would be doomed to insolvency.

By contrast, the People’s Party, the senior coalition party, has criticized international lenders and sabotaged agreements signed with the IMF and the EU. However, the party’s rating remains low at 3.6 percent, according to the Latvijas Fakti poll in January.[/private_subscription 4 months] [private_subscription 1 year]statements to Latvian media that contradicted party policy.

The decision angered Repše, for whom Titavs was a trusted adviser and confidante.

“The procedure, the motivation, and the haste with which Dans was excluded are unacceptable,” Repše was quoted as saying. “And they can’t be acceptable for any legal or democratic party or person.”

Despite the resentment, Repše reiterated that he remains faithful to New Era and did not intend to resign.

Titavs’ expulsion can also be seen as a part of a mandatory in-house cleaning effort on the even of national elections. Other parties, primarily the People’s Party, have also been busy tossing members who are seen as renegades and refuse to tow the line. The People’s Party has gone so far as to kick out two sitting lawmakers, forcing them into the opposition.

While Repše was prime minister in 2002-04, Titavs was his most trusted adviser. But many insiders felt Titavs abused his power by jealously guarding the prime minister and filtering information that reached his ears.

Although it has been charged the thankless task of slashing budget expenditures and rescuing the country from crisis, New Era has surprisingly managed to hold onto its repute — and even improve it. According to a January poll by Latvijas Fakti, the center-right New Era enjoyed a 9.9 percent approval rating — up from 5.5 percent a month earlier. The rating was second only to the center-left Harmony Center, which had an astounding 18.8 percent rating.

Analysts say that New Era has boosted its reputation in the eyes of Latvians since it represents a measure of stability in talks with international lenders, without whom the Baltic state would be doomed to insolvency.

By contrast, the People’s Party, the senior coalition party, has criticized international lenders and sabotaged agreements signed with the IMF and the EU. However, the party’s rating remains low at 3.6 percent, according to the Latvijas Fakti poll in January. [/private_subscription 1 year]

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