Latvia president calls for parliament dissolution after MPs block anti-corruption probeMay 29, 2011 - 16:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Latvian president Valdis Zatlers has called for the dissolution of parliament after MPs blocked an anti-corruption probe against a prominent politician.The move means a referendum will be held in the next few months on whether to break up parliament and hold new elections. It sets the stage for political turmoil in recession-scarred Latvia, which was forced to seek a £6.4 billion international bail-out to repair its crippled economy.A presidential election is expected next week in parliament, and Mr Zatlers said he realised his chances of re-election could be hurt. But in a speech to the nation he said he felt compelled to stop corrupt practices which had left people without confidence in the Baltic country's politicians.The speech comes on the heels of a vote on Thursday in the Saeima - parliament - that blocked the country's anti-corruption bureau from searching the home of Ainars Slesers, a powerful politician known as one of Latvia's three oligarchs. "The Saeima vote on Thursday unfortunately is like a siren that warns about a serious conflict between legislative power and the justice system - two of the three powers on which our country is based," Mr Zatlers said, Belfast Telegraph reported. 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 | Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. |