Latvia welcomes first female Prime MinisterJanuary 22, 2014 - 15:33 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Latvia welcomed its first female Prime Minister Wednesday, Jan 22, after lawmakers approved a new center-right coalition, the Associated Press reports. Sixty-four votes were cast in favor of Laimdota Straujuma's coalition, while 27 were against and the remaining nine lawmakers either abstained or were absent. Previously a high-ranking civil servant specializing in agriculture, Straujuma was unknown to the Latvian public until she became a compromise figure earlier this month during coalition talks. President Andris Berzins had previously rejected all parties' prime minister candidates before the ruling center-right party Unity decided to propose Straujuma, 62. She joined Unity to take the post, but it is unclear whether she will attempt to keep her position after Latvia holds parliamentary elections in October. The previous government of Valdis Dombrovskis, who was the longest-serving prime minister in the Baltic state's history, resigned in November after a supermarket roof collapse killed 54 people and stunned the country. Observers say one of Straujuma's core tasks will be to ensure a timely and complete investigation into the tragedy given that most Latvians are skeptical that the guilty parties will be bear criminal responsibility. Latvia, a country of 2 million people, has the fastest-growing economy in the 28-member European Union. On Jan 1, the country became the 18th member of the euro area. Photo: Latvian News Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |