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RIGA (Reuters) - Latvian Prime Minister Einars Repse said his government resigned on Thursday after losing its majority a week ago when a junior coalition partner quit in anger over a personal feud between Repse and his deputy.



"Everything has been free-falling," Repse was quoted by the BNS news wire as saying. "The agony of the state must not be allowed to continue."

The small Baltic state is due to join the European Union (news - web sites) in May and President Vaira Vike-Freiberga urged the government and parliament earlier on Thursday to seek a swift end to the crisis to avoid a lengthy political limbo in the run-up to EU entry.

Vike-Freiberga told LTV1 state television she had been notified about the right-wing coalition's decision to step down late on Thursday, adding that she would immediately start the process of naming a new prime minister.

"I will start looking for a new candidate already tonight," she said, adding: "The most important thing with a new government is that it is stable and can make sure Latvia will be ready to join the EU and NATO (news - web sites)."

The former Soviet republic has seen much political turmoil since regaining independence in 1991, but has always kept integration with mainstream Europe a top priority.

Repse led his New Era party to victory in late 2002 on promises to stamp out corruption, graft and mismanagement, and has remained popular among Latvians for his no-nonsense approach.

But his strong-man leadership style has angered his three coalition partners, who almost managed to oust him last September.

Analysts say a new right-wing majority coalition is most likely to take over after Repse's government.