Valmiera voters weigh local government records before parliamentary election

Voters in Valmiera municipality are basing their parliamentary election choices on parties’ performance in local government, LSM reports. However, many residents say they have not yet decided whom to support in the election for the 15th Saeima, while opposition parties are seeking support in Seda.

Researcher analysis cited by LSM suggests that voters in the municipality tend to support political parties that have already proven themselves in local government. Support for New Unity is expected to decline.

In the municipality’s rural areas, conservative and regionally oriented political forces have gained support. Four years ago, the strongest results in the Valmiera municipality went to the then coalition parties and regionally focused political forces.

Voter turnout in the municipality was 66.8 percent in the previous parliamentary election, when turnout in the Vidzeme region exceeded 66 percent, the highest level in Latvia.

Although Vidzeme is often seen as prosperous because of its well-maintained towns and businesses, statistics show a less favourable overall picture. Valmiera has the region’s highest living standard, with gross domestic product reaching 28,000 euros per resident, the second-highest figure after Riga. The latest GDP data shows that Vidzeme is behind Riga and the surrounding region, as well as Kurzeme and Zemgale.

The region’s development is uneven and its population is relatively small. Seda has attracted particular attention from opposition parties because many of its residents are Russian-speaking.

Residents interviewed by the programme said they were still considering their choices. Arnis Melderis said he had not decided whom to vote for because he believed the people elected previously had not performed well. Sintija had also not yet made a decision.