Latvian TV concludes crisis simulation for election candidates

Latvian Television’s Aizliegtais panemiens has concluded a three-part simulation testing how parliamentary election candidates would make decisions during a crisis, LSM reports.

Five candidates from each of three political groups took part in each episode. The final episode featured Progresivie, the United List and Sovereign Power/Alliance of Young Latvians. Earlier episodes involved the Union of Greens and Farmers, the National Alliance, Stabilitatei!, New Unity, For Latvia’s Development and Latvia First.

The simulated crisis unfolds in Silgale, a fictional town in Latgale 18 kilometres from the Russian border. It has about 7,000 residents: 54% are Latvian, 40% Russian and 6% from other ethnic groups.

The scenario includes a Russian flag displayed in a home window, the death of a Russian pensioner and rising divisions in the community. The situation then escalates, with Russia becoming involved in events in Silgale. A crisis management centre meets in a bunker, where five people receive a report from the State Security Service.

The political groups selected for the series were those that exceeded 2% in the latest available SKDS ratings.