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 Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. 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". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |