RIGA, July 1 (LETA) - Following the local elections in early June, chairpersons of local governments have changed in more than half of Latvian municipalities - new chairpersons have been elected in 22 municipalities, while incumbent chairpersons have been re-elected in another 20 municipalities, according to data compiled by LETA.

In 12 Latvian municipalities, political forces that won the elections have been unable to form a coalition, and in some municipalities the winning parties have been left in opposition: in Riga, Jelgava, Ventspils Region, and the regions of Dievidkurzeme, Dobele, Ropazi, Sigulda, Limbazi, Smiltene, Aluksne, Balvi and Augsdaugava.

22 local governments have elected new chairpersons after the elections. Viesturs Kleinbergs (Progressives) was elected Riga mayor, while in Ventspils Region, chairman and deputy chairman of the council changed places, and now Andis Zarins (National Alliance) is chairman of Ventspils Region Council, while the previous chairman Aivars Mucenieks (Greens/Farmers) is his deputy.

Changes have also taken place at Talsi Region Council, which is now headed by Ansis Berzins (For Development of Talsi Municipality/For Latvia's Development). In the meantime, Dienvidkurzeme Region Council's former deputy chairman Andris Jankovskis (National Alliance) has been elected the council's chairman.

The long-serving Jelgava Mayor Andris Ravins (Greens/Farmers) has been replaced by the Progressives' Martins Dagis. Jelgava Region Council has also elected a new chairman, Ingus Zalitis (Greens/Farmers).

Aivars Ositis (For Latvia's Development), former opposition councilor, has been elected chairman of Marupe Region Council, while Signe Grube (Progressives) has been elected chairwoman of Ropazi Region Council.

In Limbazi Region, Sigita Upmale (Vidzeme Party) has been elected council chairwoman. A new council chairperson has also been elected in Sigulda Region - Janis Vimba, a member of Sigulda Regional Party and former director of the Latvian National Theatre.

Gulbene Region Council is now headed by Normunds Mazurs (For Latvia's Development), and Smiltene Region by former Saeima member Ervins Labanovskis (Progressives).

24-year-old Davids Rubens (New Christian Party) has been elected chairman of Livani Region Council, becoming the youngest municipal leader in Latvia at the moment.

Guntars Skudra (New Unity) has been elected chairman of Rezekne Region Council, Vitalijs Aizbalts (Latgale Party) is the new head of Augsdaugava Region Council, and Aivars Maceks (National Alliance) of Bauska Region Council.

Several municipalities have re-elected their former chairpersons: Janis Trupovnieks (Latvian Green Party) at Balvi Region Council, Andrejs Spridzans (Green Party) at Dobele Region Council, Gatis Truksnis (GreenParty) in Jurmala, Aldis Adamovics (New Unity) at Preili Region Council, Aleksandrs Bartasevics (Together for Latvia) at Rezekne City Council, and Vents Armands Krauklis (Vidzeme Party) in Valka Region.

Meanwhile, leaders of 20 Latvian municipalities remain unchanged after the elections. Leons Lidums (For Latvia's Development/Vidzeme Party) will continue as head of Aizkraukle Region Council, Dzintars Adlers (New Unity) has been re-elected chairman of of Aluksne Region Council, Karina Mikelsone (Latvian Association of Regions) will continue as Adazi Region Council's chairwoman, and Janis Rozenbergs (New Unity) as chairman of Cesis Region Council.

Raivis Ragainis (Green Party) has been re-elected chairman at Jekabpils Region Council, Gunars Upenieks (Latvian Farmers' Union/Greens and Farmers) at Kraslava Region Counncil, Inese Astasevska (For Kuldiga Municipality) at Kuldiga Region Council, Viktorija Baire (New Unity) at Kuldiga Region Council, Edgars Mekss (Greens/Farmers) at Ludza Region Council, Egils Helmanis (National Alliance/Greens and Farmers/Green Party) at Ogre Region Council, and Andris Bergs (Latvian Social Democratic Workers Party) at Olaine Region Council.

Salaspils Region Council has re-elected Raivis Anspaks (New Unity) as chairman, Saldus Region Council - Maris Zusts (Green Party), Saulkrasti Region Council - Normunds Licis (Latvian Association of Regions), Madona Region Council - Agris Lungevics (Greens/Farmers), and Tukums Region Council - Gundars Vaza (Latvian Association of Regions).

Janis Vitolins (For Latvija and Ventspis) has been re-elected Ventspils mayor, Andrejs Elksnins (Let's Go, Latgale!) - Daugavpils mayor, Gunars Ansins (Liepaja Party) - Liepaja mayor, and Janis Baiks (For Valmiera and Vidzeme) - Valmiera Region Council's chairman.