Latgale candidates debate region’s future in first election forum
Latvia LSM has hosted the first pre-election debate with leaders of party lists standing in Latvia’s Latgale region ahead of the October 3 elections to the 15th Saeima, the country’s parliament.
The debate focused on security, healthcare, education, demographics, support for young families, preparedness for crisis situations and the representation of Latgale’s interests in the Saeima. The region has 12 parliamentary seats, with 180 candidates from 14 lists standing for election.
The participants were Ināra Groce of Apvienotais saraksts, Aivars Smans of Saskaņas centrs, Aleksandrs Bartaševičs of Latvija pirmajā vietā and Andris Vaivods of Latvijas attīstībai. LSM said discussions with candidates from other parties would be broadcast in the Latgale Hour programme in five weeks.
The parliamentary 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.
Early voting will be available at all polling stations from September 28 until election day. Ballots can be deposited for safekeeping from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on September 28, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on September 29, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on September 30, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on October 1, and from noon to 3 p.m. on October 2.
The newly elected 15th Saeima will hold its first sitting on November 3, when the powers of the 14th Saeima end.