RIGA, June 10 (LETA) - We are ready to cooperate with anyone who is ready to work for the benefit of Riga residents and help us fulfill our program, said Julija Stepanenko, chairwoman of the board of the political party Sovereign Power, in an interview on the Latvian Television this morning, when asked how the potential opposition in the Riga City Council would be able to cooperate with Latvia First (LPV), led by Ainars Slesers.

She said that Sovereign Power and the Association New Latvians (SV/AJ) "with their intellect and experience are ready to drag along whoever is elected to the Riga City Council".

She also pointed out that, as the opposition, they will force those who do not want to work to do so. Stepanenko also pointed out that the SV/AJ is preparing an offer to all to carry out a full audit of the municipality.

Asked to comment on the ongoing coalition talks, Stepanenko expressed surprise at the potential cooperation between the National Alliance (NA) and the Progressives.

She also said that SV/AJ would be the first to propose the dismissal of the City Council in a year's time if they see that it is not working as the people of Riga expect. She sees that there is already a lot of disappointment among voters.

As reported, the Progressives have taken the initiative of forming the new Riga City Council coalition, and is in talks with the National Alliance, New Unity and the United List as potential partners.

On Monday, the Progressives met with the National Alliance, and will meet with New Unity today. Tomorrow they will meet with the United List.

Riga mayor candidate Viesturs Kleinbergs (Progressives) previously said that if these meetings go well, as meeting between all four parties could take place on Thursday. Kleinbergs also said that he hopes to form a new Riga City Council coalition my the Midsummer holidays.

Ainars Slesers' party Latvia First won the largest number of votes in the municipal elections to the Riga City Council. Counting data from all polling stations, the Latvia First won 18.17 percent of the votes, giving the list 13 out of 60 seats in the Riga City Council.

As many as 16.62 percent of voters supported the Progressives, giving them 11 seats, 14.2 percent voted for the National Alliance, giving it ten seats, and the New Unity, the party of current Riga Mayor Vilnis Kirsis, won 12.9 percent of voters' support. The New Unity will therefore win nine seats.

The joint list of Sovereign Power and the Union of New Latvians won 12.13 percent of the votes and won eight seats.

Two other political forces have entered the council - the Stability party, supported by 6.94 percent of voters, and the United List, supported by 6.29 percent of voters, which would allow them to win five and four seats respectively.