Survey finds Latvia’s language groups less divided than they think

People in Latvia overestimate how divided Latvian and Russian speakers are, researchers say, according to LSM. The association Russian Voice for Latvia surveyed nearly 600 residents on the streets and online this year about divisive issues and how the two groups view one another.

The study’s idea came from similar research in the United States comparing supporters of Democrats and Republicans, said Martins Levuškāns, the association’s board chairman. That research also found that differences between groups were not as large as commonly assumed.

The Latvian study asked respondents both for their own views and what they thought members of the other group believed. Researchers said it was the first study of this kind, known as a study of metapolarisation, in Latvia.

“The difference in perceptions is much greater than the difference that actually exists,” Levuškāns said. News, politicians’ statements and other influences affect not only what people think, but also what they believe others think, he added. Social media can amplify the views of the most radical members of each group.

On a scale of one to 10, Latvian speakers rated Latvia’s membership in the European Union at 8.4, while Russian speakers gave it a 7. Views on NATO membership differed more: Latvian speakers gave it 8.7, while Russian speakers’ rating was three points lower.

The groups also differed on support for Ukraine. Latvian speakers tended to think Ukraine should receive more help, while Russian speakers mostly considered the assistance excessive.

The researchers said some respondents may have given socially acceptable answers rather than revealing their true views.