RIGA, May 28 (LETA) - The Saeima on Thursday approved Latvia's new government, which will be led by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List).

The new Cabinet of Ministers was approved by 66 votes to 25. MPs from the Progressives, Stability and Latvia First (LPV) parties voted against the Kulbergs-led government. Davis Martins Daugavietis, an MP from New Unity, also voted against.

Janis Patmalnieks (New Unity), as well as non-partisan MPs Igors Judins and Amils Salimovs, who used to represent the now defunct Stability faction in the Saeima, did not register for the vote.

The mandate of the resigned government of Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) has accordingly expired. LETA was told at the State Chancellery that the mandate of the previous government ended as the Saeima approved the new Cabinet of Ministers.

The new government is made up of the United List, the National Alliance, New Unity, and the Union of Greens and Farmers.

In the new coalition government, the Ministries of Finance, Justice, and Smart Administration and Regional Development will be led by the United List. Maris Kucinskis has been confirmed as Minister of Finance, Edvards Smiltens as Minister of Justice, and Edgars Tavars as Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development.

Foreign Minister Baiba Braze and Health Minister Hossam Abu Meri from New Unity will keep their positions. Raivis Melnis has been confirmed as Minister of Defense, while Rihards Kozlovskis, the former Minister of the Interior, has been appointed Minister of Transport.

The National Alliance leads the Ministries of Education and Science, Culture, Interior, and Climate and Energy. Ilze Indriksone has been appointed Minister of Education and Science, Janis Dombrava will be Minister of the Interior, Nauris Puntulis will be Minister of Culture, and Janis Vitenbergs has been confirmed as Minister of Climate and Energy.

Viktors Valainis (Greens/Farmers) stays on as Minister of Economics, and Reinis Uzulnieks (Greens/Farmers) as Minister of Welfare, while Uldis Augulis (Greens/Farmers) has been appointed Minister of Agriculture.

Daiga Mierina (Greens/Farmers) has also retained her post as Saeima Speaker.

President Edgars Rinkevics tasked Kulbergs with forming a new government after the resignation of former Prime Minister Silina.