Ten party leaders debate Latvia’s future ahead of election

Ten political party leaders are taking part in a televised debate in Riga on Friday, ahead of Saturday’s 15th Saeima election. LSM, Latvia’s public media portal, and Latvian Television are hosting the debate as part of their election series, “Choose Latvia’s future!”

The debate is being held at Latvian Television’s building in Zaķusala, with audience members able to ask questions and discuss issues facing the country. LTV journalist Gundars Rēders is moderating.

The participants are Arvils Ašeradens of New Unity, Ilze Indriksone of the National Alliance, Viktors Valainis of the Union of Greens and Farmers, Andris Kulbergs of the United List, Jūlija Stepaņenko of Sovereign Power and the Association of New Latvians, Ainārs Šlesers of Latvia First, Andris Šuvajevs of the Progressives, Alvis Hermanis of We Are Changing the Rules, Juris Pūce of For Latvia’s Development, and Svetlana Čulkova of For Stability!

Political groups were invited if they had received at least 2% support in one or more SKDS opinion polls published in August. The threshold was based on support among all eligible voters, not only respondents who had decided how to vote.

LSM and Latvian Television have already held debates in all five election constituencies: Latgale on August 27, Zemgale on September 3, Riga on September 10, Kurzeme on September 17 and Vidzeme on September 24.

The election will take place on Saturday, October 3. Polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and voters may cast their ballots at any polling station. Fourteen candidate lists have been submitted.