Latgale gains prominence in party programmes as border security takes priority

Latgale features more prominently in party programmes for Latvia’s 15th Saeima elections, but LSM reports that most proposals focus on strengthening and protecting the eastern border rather than on the region’s economy, transport or public services.

Four years after the previous parliamentary elections, the region is increasingly presented as a border that must be reinforced, safeguarded and made resilient. Concrete plans for earning a living, travelling and accessing services in Latgale remain far less common.

Fourteen candidate lists have been submitted for the elections, with 180 candidates standing in the Latgale electoral district. However, the region receives varying levels of attention in the parties’ programmes. Some parties address Latgale as a separate policy issue, while others include it under the general promise to develop the regions.

Some programmes propose a special economic regime for Latgale, transport compensation, and investment in roads, railways and public transport. They also mention the Latgalian language, culture, the Gors Latgale embassy cultural centre and regional media.

The party Mēs mainām noteikumus offers one of the most specific proposals. It wants to establish an economic zone along the European Union’s external border covering Latgale and Alūksne Municipality, subject to approval from the European Commission. The party proposes a 10% value-added tax rate and corporate income tax incentives for five to 10 years.

The proposal identifies the instrument, territory and tax rates, but its implementation would depend not only on the next Saeima. The special regime would also have to be agreed with the European Commission.