POLICY REPORT ON IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM IN LATVIA ...

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3. POLITICAL, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN
LATVIA IN THE FIELD OF MIGRATION AND ASYLUM
3.1. Main Political Changes
There were significant changes in the state policy in 2010: one of the political parties of
the government decided to leave in spring, but a regular election of the Saeima (Parliament)
was held in autumn.
On 17 March 2010, Tautas partija (People’s Party) at a joint meeting of the Saeima
group and its board decided to leave the government led by Prime Minister, Valdis
Dombrovskis 10 . Representatives of Tautas partija: the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister
of Regional Development and Local Government, the Minister of Justice, and the Minister of
Health, discontinued their work in the government. 11 Minister of Culture, Ints Dālderis, who
represents Tautas partija resigned from the political party and continued the commenced work
in the government of Valdis Dombrovskis.
Instead of the ministers represented by Tautas partija, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aivis
Ronis, started the work in the Cabinet of Ministers, same as Minister of Regional Development
and Local Government, Dagnija Staķe ("Latvijas zemnieku savienība" (Union of Latvian
Farmers)), Minister of Health, Didzis Gavars, and Minister of Culture, Ints Dālderis. The
responsibilities of the Minister of Justice were fulfilled by Minister of Defence, Imants Lieģis
(Pilsoniskā savienība (Civic Union)). It must be noted that some ministers that do not belong to
any of the political parties were involved in the government.
Elections of the 10th Saeima were held on 2 October 2010, as a result of which five
political parties are represented in Saeima: association of political parties "Vienotība" (Unity),
association of political parties "Saskaņas Centrs" (Harmony Centre), association of political
parties "Zaļo and Zemnieku savienība" (Union of Greens and Farmers), national association
""Visu Latvijai!" (All For Latvia!) – "Tēvzemei and Brīvībai/LNNK" (For Fatherland and
Freedom/LNNK)", and association of political parties "Par Labu Latviju" (For Good Latvia). 12
On 3 November 2010, Saeima in its extraordinary session decided to entrust the leading
of the government to Valdis Dombrovskis. Two of the five political forces that were elected to
the 10th Saeima are represented in the Cabinet of Ministers: association of political parties
10 The Government of Prime Minister, V.Dombrovksis, Approved by the Saeima Extraordinary Meeting of 12
March 2009.
11 Tautas partija atsakās no atbildības un pamet valdību (Tautas partija Refuses from the Liability and Quits the
Government).// http://www.tvnet.lv/zinas/Latvia/308174-tautas_partija_atsakas_no_atbildibas_un_pamet_valdibu
- [see: 17.03.2010]
12 10.Saeimas vēlēšanas (The 10th Saeima Election).// http://web.cvk.lv/pub/public/29642.html - [see: 20.10.2010]