Riga voters say crowded party field complicates election choice

Voters in Riga say the large number of parties is making it difficult to choose in Latvia’s 15th parliamentary election, LSM reports. Polling stations opened across the country on Saturday, as voters began choosing 100 members of the Saeima, Latvia’s parliament, for a four-year term.

Voters can cast ballots at 933 polling stations across Latvia. At the VEF Culture Palace, a cultural venue in Riga, two polling stations opened at 8 a.m. Staff sealed the ballot boxes with numbered security seals; they will be opened after voting ends, when counting begins.

One voter said there were no clear favourites this year, but that security, demography and European and NATO integration were priorities. Debates had helped another voter make a choice. Asked whether political parties would be able to work together, she replied: “Hopefully.”

Other voters also described the choice as difficult. One said campaign promises were not always kept. Another, who usually votes for the same party, said choosing was somewhat harder than usual and hoped security would at least remain at its current level.