RIGA, Dec 16 (LETA) - The necessary number of signatures has been collected to convene an extraordinary meeting of the Riga City Council and vote on confidence in Riga Mayor Martins Stakis (Progressives/For) and Vice Mayor Vilnis Kirsis (New Unity), LETA learned from Anna Vladova, a representative of Harmony group at the Riga City Council.

She said that in order to convene an extraordinary council meeting, one third or 20 lawmakers have to sign for it. Signatures have been collected from the opposition Harmony, Honor to Serve Riga (GKR) and Latvia's Union of Russians (LKS) parties.

Harmony party initially started collecting signatures to initiate a no-confidence motion in Kirsis in relation to the critical situation on the streets of Riga after heavy snowing. This initiative was supported by GKR, criticizing also the Riga mayor and the executive director.

Finally, also the third opposition party - LKS - joined the motion.

LKS head Miroslavs Mitrofanovs though told LETA that the party will not support ousting the Riga mayor, but wishes to discuss in more detail the situation of cleaning the streets of Riga from snow and ice.