Latvian parties divided over future of state political funding

Latvian political parties have offered sharply different proposals for changing the country’s party financing system, LSM reported, with some calling for state funding to be abolished and others seeking greater transparency or stronger links to membership.

Thirteen political parties and alliances are entitled to receive state budget funding from 2023 to 2026 based on the results of the 14th Saeima election. State funding for political parties and alliances amounts to 6,702,563 euros in 2026.

Latvia has 46 active political parties in 2026, but only nine have more than 1,000 members. Just one party has more than 2,000 members.

The use of state funding is also relatively opaque, according to LSM. The public cannot routinely verify in detail how parties spend the millions allocated to them. Information generally emerges only when the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau imposes fines or suspends funding payments.

LSM asked parties and political alliances to provide three specific proposals on how to convince the public that continued state funding at the current level, or at a higher level, is worthwhile and that the money is being used to improve the quality of politics.

Proposals to abolish or reduce funding

The party We Change the Rules proposes abolishing state funding altogether.

The Flowing Sun for Latvia party proposes reducing state funding to 100,000 euros per party each year.

Latvia First would support completely ending state funding if restrictions on donations were lifted. The United List, meanwhile, promises to halt annual increases in state funding.

Proposals to change how funding is allocated

Sovereign Power and the Jaunlatviesi Alliance, as well as the Gobzems List, propose allowing voters to decide which party receives their share of state funding.

The New Conservative Party proposes partly linking funding to the number of members who pay membership fees.

Calls for greater transparency

New Unity, the National Alliance, the Union of Greens and Farmers, For Latvia’s Development and Stability! propose making party finances and spending reports more transparent.

The Progressives propose strengthening the responsibility of party leadership for party financing.