Ten political forces join Riga election debate

LSM has launched a series of regional debates ahead of Latvia’s 15th Saeima elections in October, with 10 political forces taking part in Thursday’s debate in Riga.

The participants are Ilze Indriksone of the National Alliance, Baiba Braže of New Unity, Andris Kulbergs of the United List, Jūlija Stepaņenko of Sovereign Power, Ainārs Šlesers of Latvia First, Andris Šuvajevs of the Progressives, Jāzeps Baško of We Change the Rules, Viktors Valainis of the Union of Greens and Farmers, Svetlana Čulkova of Stability!, and Iveta Ratinika of Latvia’s Development.

The regional debates include political forces that received at least 2 percent support in at least one of the public opinion surveys published by SKDS in August. The ratings are based on all eligible voters, rather than only those who had chosen a party at the time of the survey.

Each political force has delegated one of the first three candidates on its list for the relevant election district. Residents and audience members can ask questions and discuss issues affecting their region and Latvia as a whole.

The debates are hosted by LTV journalists Gundars Rēders and Guntis Bojārs. The first debate took place in Latgale on August 27, followed by a debate in Zemgale on September 3. Further debates are scheduled for Kurzeme on September 17 and Vidzeme on September 24.

LSM also offers a Party Selector questionnaire, which allows voters to compare their views on political issues with the positions of parties standing in the election. The tool is intended to provide a concise overview of party positions and is not a recommendation on which list to support.