Parliamentary elections in Latvia: voting for the renewal of the Saeima begins

In Latvia we are voting in the parliamentary elections: the polls opened today at 8am local time, 7am in Italy, and will close at 8pm (our 7pm). Citizens are called to the polls to renew the 100 seats of the unicameral Parliament: 1,428 candidates from fourteen lists are running.

These parliamentary elections are the eleventh to be held in the country since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. 14 parties are competing for the 100 seats of the Saeima, with a proportional system. The latest polls show the United List, the party of Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, as the favourite, with over 14% of the vote. In second place, again according to the polls, the populist Sovereign Power movement with 9.4%.

Approximately 1.5 million people have the right to vote. According to data released by the Latvian Central Election Committee, turnout reached 25.5% at 12pm. Furthermore, taking advantage of early voting, 11.2% of voters (over 169 thousand people) have already expressed their preference in recent days.

The election campaign was marked by debate over the rising cost of living and security concerns, given that Latvia borders both Russia and Belarus. Andris Kulbergs, the current Latvian prime minister, has only been in office since May: the previous government fell due to a controversy over Ukrainian drones. His centre-right and conservative alliance, the United List, is leading in the polls but experts predict that his coalition will emerge weakened due to the advance of populist parties. In fact, discontent is growing in the country: many Latvians complain about high prices and low wages, the economy is stagnant, the healthcare system is under pressure, emigration and the aging of the population continue to represent important challenges.