RIGA, June 26 (LETA) - The newly elected Dienvidkurzeme Municipality Council elected Andris Jankovskis, the lead candidate of the National Alliance list, as the new mayor.

All 18 councilors who were present at the meeting voted for Jankovskis. Ainars Cirulis of New Unity was absent from the first council meeting.

The National Alliance, New Unity and the Latvian Association of Regions had nominated Jankovskis for Dienvidkurzeme mayor, while the Union of Greens and Farmers had nominated the previous mayor Aivars Priedols (Greens/Farmers). Priedols, for his part, nominated Uldis Kristapsons of New Unity. Both Kristapsons and Priedols eventually withdrew their nominations, leaving Jankovskis the only candidate.

As reported earlier, Greens/Farmers won the most votes in the municipal elections in Dienvidkurzeme municipality, according to data published by the Central Election Commossion.

Greens/Farmers received 24.85 percent of the vote, which gave them five seats on the City Council.

The National Alliance came second with 24.78 percent of the vote, which gave it five seats on the council.

The third place with 20.49 percent of the vote went to New Unity, which also gave this party five seats.

The Latvian Association of Regions also entered representation on the council, with 20.22 percent of the vote, giving it four seats.

According to the Central Election Commission's data, 45.25 percent of eligible voters participated in the municipal elections in Dienvidkurzeme Municipality.

It was also reported that Greens/Farmers have challenged the election results in Dienvidkurzeme municipality.

Although the Greens/Farmers list won 24.85 percent of the votes in the municipal elections, the most of any political force, Priedols admits that he had a feeling that there would be more votes. The party has received reports from rural residents that there had been "all sorts of campaigning miracles" on the election day. He believes that the counting errors are due to the electoral system and that the ballot papers should be recounted, but it is unlikely that this will happen.

The Central Election Commission rejected Greens/Farmers' complaint over the outcome of the municipal elections in Dienvidkurzeme.

Priedols said after the elections that he had invited all the political forces with whom he had worked together so far to work together, but they were all waiting for some other development. Asked whether coalition-building talks were taking place in the municipality, Priedols admitted that they were, but without the participation of Greens/Farmers.