Latvian parliament approves new gov't

Latvia's new government was approved by its parliament with a majority vote on Tuesday. The incumbent Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, a leader of the Unity Party, will once again head the government. After an extraordinary session of parliament, 57 supported while 38 were against the new cabinet. The new coalition government consists of the Unity Party, Zatlers' Reform Party, All for Latvia-For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK. Shortly after being confirmed, Dombrovskis said at the first session of the new government that his coalition would get to work right away to draft next year's budget. He added his government would try to get Latvian farmers subsidies and EU funding. Dombrovskis has become the first person in Latvia to serve as prime minister three times. He first took the office in March 2009. On October 19, Dombrovskis was nominated by President Andris Berzins to form the next government. Latvian parties reached consensus and signed a cooperation agreement to form the next government Tuesday after excluding the largest party of the parliament, the Harmony Center.