 Upon the resignation of Prime Minister Einars Repše in early 2004, Kariņš was discussed as a candidate to become the next prime minister.However, he was passed over by President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga in favor of Indulis Emsis, and again in favor of Aigars Kalvitīs after Emsis's resignation a few months later.He instead became Minister for Economics in the First Kalvītis cabinet from December 2004 to April 2006.