Latvian election candidates debate whether democracy is best system
Friday 11th September 2026 on 13:15 in
Latvia
LSM and its Youth Editorial Team have published a video in which candidates for Latvia’s 15th Saeima, the country’s parliament, discuss whether democracy is the best form of government for Latvia.
The video is part of LSM’s “Politicians’ Quick Test”, which presents brief answers to important questions to help voters assess the positions of prime ministerial and parliamentary candidates ahead of the election.
The participants are Ainārs Šlesers of Latvia First, Jūlija Stepaņenko of Sovereign Power/Young Latvians, Daniēls Āboliņš of We Change the Rules, Andris Šuvajevs of the Progressives, Daiga Mieriņa of the Union of Greens and Farmers, Arvils Ašeradens of New Unity, Jānis Grasbergs of the National Alliance, Andris Kulbergs of the United List, Svetlana Čulkova of For Stability! and Ivars Ijabs of Latvia’s Development.
LSM invited representatives of parties that received at least 2% support in the SKDS party ratings in July and August.
The “Politicians’ Quick Test” will be published twice a week during the pre-election period.
Party comparison tool
LSM’s “Party Sorter” allows voters to compare their views on different policy issues with the positions of political forces standing in the election. The tool is intended to provide a concise overview of parties’ answers to questions on the political agenda during the pre-election period.
LSM says the results should not be treated as an instruction or recommendation on which party list to support. The decision remains with each voter.
Election information
The 15th Saeima election 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.
Votes may be deposited for safekeeping at all polling stations in Latvia from September 28 until election day, during the following hours: September 28 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; September 29 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; September 30 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; October 1 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.; and October 2 from noon to 3 p.m.
The election campaign period began on June 5.