Jelgava voters urge participation despite difficult choice

Jelgava residents said voting in Latvia’s 15th parliamentary election was important despite a difficult choice, as the result would shape the country’s next four years, LSM reported, citing Zemgale Regional Television.

Residents Reinis and Rūta said their family had discussed the election and agreed on the values they wanted to support. “How can we not vote? We have to vote for Latvia’s future,” they said, adding that more attention should be paid to people’s welfare. They said it was difficult to choose who should become prime minister.

Juris said he did not know which party to vote for, saying parties made promises but nothing improved and that trust in politicians was lacking. He said the country should focus on preserving the nation and encouraging people who remain in Latvia not to leave.

Jānis said all Latvian citizens should be required by law to vote. He said those who already vote are the ones who turn out, while people dissatisfied with the current system are left out. He said he and his neighbours were voting, and stressed the importance of people feeling secure about the future, having stable wages and access to good healthcare.

Polling stations in Latvia and abroad were open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Voters could also cast ballots in advance from September 28. The newly elected 15th Saeima is due to meet for its first session on November 3, when the 14th Saeima’s term ends.