Riga, Feb 20 (LETA) - The Vidzeme Party is preparing lists of candidates to run in nine Latvian municipalities, Vidzeme Party board member Vents Armands Krauklis told LETA.

The 14th congress of the Vidzeme Party held yesterday, February 19, decided that the lists of the Vidzeme Party will be prepared in the municipalities of Valka, Ogre, Smiltene, Limbazi and Kekava. In Sigulda, the Vidzeme Party will run together with the National Alliance; in Aizkraukle, together with For Latvia's Development; in Cesis, together with the Union of Greens and Farmers Unio, for Latvia's Development and the Greens Party; and in Gulbene, together with the New Conservative Party.

The congress unanimously decided to maintain the current party's leadership. Krauklis will continue to lead the party, his deputy will be Raivis Uzuls, and board will also include Anta Teivane, Valts Variks, Andris Mihalovs and Ivo Bernats.

Krauklis informed that two new groups have started to operate between the congresses - in Smiltene, led by Girts Freibergs, and in Gulbene, led by Ivars Kupcs.