On the 22nd, the Latvian Parliament approved the formation of a new center-right coalition government, with Laimdota Straujuma successfully taking office as Latvia's first female prime minister.
In November last year, a roof collapse occurred at the "Maxima" supermarket in the capital Riga, resulting in 54 deaths, 39 injuries, and 7 people missing. Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis subsequently resigned in responsibility for the incident.
At the beginning of this month, disagreements arose within the coalition regarding the candidate for the new prime minister. The candidates submitted to President Andris Bērziņš were repeatedly rejected. Ultimately, a compromise was reached to appoint the consistently low-profile Straujuma as the new prime minister, and she received presidential approval. Straujuma, now 62 years old, subsequently formed a new center-right coalition government.
According to the Associated Press, Straujuma was previously an unknown civil servant who later served as the Minister of Agriculture in Dombrovskis's government, operating discreetly.
On the 22nd, the parliament approved the new government's formation with a vote of 64 in favor, 27 against, and 9 abstentions and absentees.