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TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Latvian lawmakers have approved the formation of a new center-right government following the resignation of the prime minister in December after disagreements over policy in the previous Cabinet.
In a 60-32 vote in the 100-member Parliament, legislators on Thursday agreed to the same coalition as the previous government, but headed by Maris Kucinskis, a 54-year-old lawmaker and former mayor who was nominated in January by the president to replace the outgoing prime minister, Laimdota Straujuma. Eight lawmakers were absent or abstained.
The coalition of two center-right parties — the agrarian Union of Greens and Farmers and the Unity party — and the conservative National Alliance party, commands a clear majority with 61 lawmakers in Parliament.
Kucinskis' 14-member Cabinet was expected to take office later Thursday after official ceremonies.
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