RIGA, July 1 (LETA) - Members of the new Valmiera Region Council on Thursday elected Janis Baiks, leader of For Valmiera and Vidzeme party, the council's chairman.

Baiks was elected chairman of  Valmiera Region Council by 16 votes. Rival candidate Harijs Rokpelnis (Latvian Farmers' Union) received two votes. 

Baiks told LETA earlier that although For Valmiera and Vidzeme has won the June 5 local elections, receiving 12 out of 19 seats on the regional council, the party was ready to cooperate with other political groups represented on the council. 

Baiks said he did not expect to have any difficulties cooperating with the National Alliance and New Unity, but that the Union of Greens and Farmers had already ruled out cooperation with his party. 

As reported, For Valmiera and Vidzeme received 55.02 percent of votes in  the June 5 local elections, leaving the Latvian Farmers' Union second with 17.04 percent.

The National Alliance followed with 11.37 percent and New Unity with 5.75 percent of votes.

Voter turnout in Valmiera Region was 37.83 percent.