Latvia's Government Resigns

28 October 2004 -- Latvia's government stepped down today after parliament refused to pass the proposed 2005 budget that had been proposed by Prime Minister Indulis Emsis.

Emsis, whose Greens and Farmers Union party has been in power in a coalition with Latvia's First Party and the left-wing People's Harmony Party, were in favor of the budget, along with the Latvian Socialist Party.

But lawmakers and members of the Ruling People's Party and right-wing opposition parties New Time and Fatherland and Freedom, along with For Human Rights in a United Latvia, rejected the proposal.

The ruling coalition had just 47 seats in the 100-seat parliament. It came into power in March.

(AFP/AP)