Grigory Zubarev: I don't expect any positive shifts in the relations of Russia and Latvia

At parliamentary elections in Latvia the first place was won unexpectedly by Harmony party which received about 23 percent of votes. On the second place is Unity party, on the third — the Union of Greens and Farmers. The famous to the republic journalist, who keeps the popular television Off-screen program on the First Baltic Channel and also the Private View program on radio Grigory Zubarev comments on results of elections for our portal.

- Is it possible to speak about basic changes in an alignment of forces following the results of elections?

- It is a difficult question. It will only be possible to speak about alignment of forces when it becomes clear, who with whom and about what agreed. All speak about formation of the coalition, and it, of course, will be created. In my opinion, now the Union of Greens and Farmers has «gold share». Options can be different. If it is simple to put voices, it seems that the most preferable option is the option which was earlier — the right-centrist coalition. But if the Union of Greens and Farmers would behave as earlier, i. e. to criticize the government then the kettlebell will lay down on other bowl of scales and as a result we can receive the left-centrist coalition. In the latter case there will be a chance that our republic will change.

— But after all the Union of Greens and Farmers took only the third place. Why many consider them as real winners of last elections?

- Because only the voices of the Union of Greens and Farmers aren’t enough to create the steady parliamentary coalition: either right-centrist or left-centrist. From «extreme» we still had only the one after elections — the National Bloc. Its opponents from the opposite flank, the Union of Russians of Latvia, didn’t go to parliament. That is, one extreme position — red is cut conditionally off, but there was another — red-white-red.

- It turns out that the Union of Greens and Farmers appeared in position of Free Democratic Party in Germany at Dietrich Genscher when that had huge influence despite the small number.

- Yes, similar situation. But it is necessary to understand that we speak not about one political party, but about four parties which united in the bloc and they represent various wings. There is rather radical wing which is headed by the Minister of Defence Raimond Vejonis and there are moderate liberals leader of whom is the mayor Ventspils Aivars Lembergs.

— In such situation you won’t envy the mayor of Riga Nils Usakovs who showed the best result who, however, won’t be able to convert in something.

- In the countries of the western democracy it is accepted to charge the right for formation of the new government following the results of the next elections to the leader of that party which received most of all votes. In Latvia it is Nils Usakovs’s party «Harmony». But, as we have a still underdeveloped democracy, Usakovs won’t have such opportunity. The president already told that won’t charge to Usakovs the right to form the government under no circumstances.

— And the mechanism is stated in the constitution of Latvia?

- No, it is told nothing there. It is the will of the president: he solves who will be entrusted to form the government. In our modern history there was such case when the president charged to form the cabinet to the person who was out of parties. It was Andris Skele who set then a record — he became the head of the government three times.

- And how is it possible to characterize Nils Usakovs as politician?

- This is already quite mature person; as the politician he is quickly trained. He has a normal, firm backbone, but flexibility is quite enough. However, many Russians in Latvia consider this flexibility as treachery and therefore cooperation with him in policy consider impossible.

- There is such point of view that how the elections ended, but as a result the Latvian parties all the same will agree among themselves. At least, because of parties' prevention in ruling coalition, representing the interests of the Russian community. Is it so?

- Today the affairs in Ukraine, NATO and the European Union very accurately bound the ruling political elite of Latvia. And they won’t get rid of it! Here, Usakovs consistently went to Moscow, Washington and Brussels: on the one hand it shows that it is possible to deal with him as politician, but on the other hand the political opponents used it to declare that he dances to Putin’s tune … Not in vain still acting prime minister madam Laimdota Straujuma publicly declared that if suddenly the new government will be created with participation of Harmony party, Latvia, figuratively speaking, will appear in paws of the Russian bear.

- Do the events in Ukraine have impact on development of a political situation in the republic in recent months?

- Certainly, they had impact and it is necessary to tell considerable impact. The same Harmony party was simply tyrannized from two parties. Those, from among the Latvian Russians who calls themselves the Patriots of Russia, consider «Harmony» as traitors because the party supports indivisibility of Ukraine. But those, who consider themselves as patriots of Latvia, believe too that the traitors gathered in «Harmony». Here is such cheerful sandbox where everyone has own toys!

- When it becomes clear to whom the government formation of Latvia will be entrusted?

- The president gave a week to parties which passed to Seym that they would discuss among themselves. After that he will listen to the coordinated positions and make the decision on whom to charge the cabinet formation.

— Will the relations of Latvia and Russia undergo changes?

- For that period, meanwhile something won’t change in the European Union in relation to Russia, I don’t expect any positive shifts in the relations of Russia and Latvia.