LOCAL ELECTIONS IN LATVIA IN 2025: POLITICAL FRAGMENTATION AND REGIONAL DIFFERENCES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/2312-1815/2025-21-32Keywords:
Latvia, local elections, Riga, Latgale, local government, territorial communities, regionsAbstract
The article examines the results of the 2025 local elections in Latvia, focusing on political fragmentation, regional differences and the role of populist actors. The study is based on data on voter turnout, the structure of the party system, coalition prospects and organisational challenges of the electoral process. The author concludes that the increase in turnout is a positive sign for democratic legitimacy, but the fragmentation of the party system and regional disparities complicate the formation of stable governance. The prospects for the 2026 parliamentary elections will depend on the ability of centrist forces to counter the rise of populism by renewing their personnel and programme platforms.
References
Auers D. The Russia-Ukraine War and Right-Wing Populism in Latvia. The Impacts of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine on Right-wing Populism in Europe. / eds. G. Ivaldi, E. Zankina. Brussels: European Center for Populism Studies (ECPS), 2023. URL: https://www.populismstudies.org/the-russia-ukraine-war-and-right-wing-populism-in-latvia/ (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
2025 Latvian municipal elections show increasing political fragmentation. Euractiv. URL: https://www.euractiv.com/ section/politics/news/latvian-municipal-elections-show-increasing-political-fragmentation (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
2025. gada pašvaldību vēlēšanu rezultāti – Rēzekne. Centrālā vēlēšanu komisija. URL: https://dati.cvk.lv/PV2025/velesanu-rezultati/latgale/rezekne/ (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
Druviete I. Pārliecība. Valoda, sabiedrība, politika. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2023. 280 l.
Latvia’s municipal elections: preliminary results show diverse local landscapes and increased voter turnout. Baltic News. URL: https://balticnews.com/latvias-municipal-elections-preliminary-results-show-diverse-local-landscapes-and-increased-voter-turnout/ (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
LTRK aicina atbalstu uzņēmumiem paredzēt neatkarīgi no pārstāvētās nozares. DIENA. URL: https://www.diena.lv/raksts/politika/slesers-un-vina-konfliktsituacijas-politika-14238034 (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
Morwinsky O., Spēlmane-Baumane U., Bērziņš V. Stimmen der Mitte, Schatten der Ränder – Lettlands politische Weggabelung? Kommunalwahlen in Lettland im Juni 2025. Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. URL: https://www.kas.de/documents/252038/33614432/Stimmen+der+Mitte%2C+Schatten+der+Ra%CC%88nder. pdf/6e44c24b-a1ab-fe33-ae5c-9191799cf678?version=2.0&t=1749635825251 (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
Pasvaldibu velesanu norises procesa ir pielautas butiskas kludas. Delfi. URL: https://www.delfi.lv/193/politics/120076088 (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
Puriņa E., Siliņš R. «Re:Check»: Kā pirms pašvaldību vēlēšanām rīdziniekus maldina Rosļikovs un Šlesers? LSM.lv. URL: https://www.lsm.lv/raksts/zinas/latvija/02.06.2025-recheck-ka-pirms-pasvaldibu-velesanam-ridziniekus-maldina-roslikovs-un-slesers.a601392/ (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
Saeima deputy Rosļikovs expelled from debating chamber. LSM+ English. URL: https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/saeima/05.06.2025-saeima-deputy-roslikovs-expelled-from-debating-chamber.a601935/ (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
Saistiba ar pasvaldibu velesanam KNAB lidz sim sacis 74 lietvedibas. Delfi. URL: https://www.delfi.lv/193/politics/120079078 (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
Turnout tops 47% in Latvian local elections. LSM+. URL: https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/07.06.2025-turnout-tops-47-in-latvian-local-elections.a602291/ (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
Vairaki deputati jau atteikusies no mandata – politologi: ta ir neciena pret veletaju. Delfi. URL: https://www.delfi.lv/193/politics/120078966 (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
VDD initiates criminal case against Member of the Saeima Aleksejs Rosļikovs. Latvian State Security Service. URL: https://vdd.gov.lv/en/news/press-releases/vdd-initiates-criminal-case-against-member-of-the-saeima-aleksejs-roslikovs (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
Zvirbulis Ģ., Freidenfelds D., Lazdiņa A. Rosļikovs released by Latvian State Security Service. LSM+ English. URL: https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/crime/17.06.2025-roslikovs-released-by-latvian-state-security-service.a603561/ (дата звернення: 13.08.2025).
