LSM launches election debates with Latgale event

LSM and Latvian Television launched a series of debates ahead of Latvia’s 15th Saeima elections with an event in Latgale on Thursday, LSM reported.

The series, titled “Choose Latvia’s future,” will cover all five electoral districts: Latgale, Zemgale, Riga, Kurzeme and Vidzeme. Ten leaders of regional candidate lists took part in the Latgale debate:

Kaspars Melnis of the Union of Greens and Farmers, Andrejs Zelčs of the National Alliance, Juris Viļums of the United List, Aleksandrs Bartaševičs of Latvia First, Rihards Kozlovskis of New Unity, Andris Vaivods of Latvia’s Development, Natālija Marčenko-Jodko of Stability!, Leila Rasima of the Progressives, Vjačeslavs Stepaņenko of Sovereign Power or the Association of Young Latvians, and Ainars Mielavs of We Change the Rules.

An expert discussion on the issues raised during the debate was scheduled to follow. The debates include participation from residents and audiences in the regions, who can ask questions and discuss matters affecting both their region and Latvia as a whole.

The debates are hosted by experienced Latvian Television journalists Gundars Rēders and Guntis Bojārs. The next debate will be held in Zemgale on September 3, followed by Riga on September 10, Kurzeme on September 17 and Vidzeme on September 24.

Political forces were invited to the regional debates if at least one of the opinion polls published by SKDS in August showed them with support of at least 2 percent. The percentage was calculated among all eligible voters, rather than only those who had made a choice at the time of the survey.

The 15th Saeima elections will take place on Saturday, October 3. Polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and voters will be able to cast their ballots at any polling station. Fourteen candidate lists have been submitted for the elections.