Riga, Jan 20 (LETA) - The National Alliance (NA) and the Latvian Association of Regions (LRA) will sign a cooperation agreement on forming a joint ticket for the upcoming municipal elections in Dobele region, the parties informed LETA.

In the previous elections, four National Alliance lawmakers and three LRA lawmakers were elected to the Dobele regional council.

The leader of the joint ticket of the National Alliance and the LRA will be Edgars Gaigalis (National Alliance), the former chairman of the Dobele regional council and current MP.

Gaigalis explained that the cooperation between the two parties has been discussed for several years, noting that there has been a successful cooperation in the current term of the council.

Gaigalis believes that there is a need to join forces. "This would be a step towards future development and less political fragmentation in the municipality, where economic and social issues that are important for the residents of the municipality," he said.

In the upcoming municipal elections, Dobele region is one of the regions in Latvia where the number of municipal councilors is being reduced - from 19 to 15.

The municipal elections will be held in early June.