Brussels, 08/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European elections will be held on 12 June in Latvia. The electoral system is one of proportional representation with preferential vote. According to recent polls, the elections will not be received with much enthusiasm by citizens who are more concerned by domestic policy issues, and the parties running do not seem to have managed to instil their compatriots with much interest. A feature of Latvia's political landscape is the large number of small parties, several of which were created recently breaking away from the traditional parties. Sixteen parties or political groups have been registered for the European elections, i.e. 245 candidates contending for only 9 seats.
The ten following parties are currently represented in the EP or affiliated to one of the groups: (a) JL (Januais Laiks, "New Era"): centre-right party set up in 2001 to fight corruption and tax evasion. Three Members of the Saeima (the Latvian Parliament) are competing for the top places (the Latvia legal system allows Saeima members and members of the cabinet to stand for the elections; if elected, they can choose whether or not to become MEPs: Ed): -Valdis Dombrovskis, 33; -Liene Liepina, 47, who was an observer at the EP; -Aldis Kuskis, 39; (b) TP (Tautas Partija, "People's Party of Latvia"). Reformist-conservative party. Several government representatives are standing: heading this list is former observer Rihards Piks (63), Foreign Minister, followed by Vineta Muizniece (48), Justice Minister, and MP and observer Aleksandrs Kirsteins (56); (c) LPP (Latvijas Pirma Partija, "First Latvian Party"), Christian-Democratic leanings. It is headed by MP Oskars Kastens (33), then by Education and Science Minister Juris Radzevics (35), and Social Integration Minister Nils Muiznieks (40); (d) TSP (Tautas Saskanans Partija, "National Harmony Party"), with a programme based around the freedom and union of the people. MP Boris Cilevics (48), a former observer, heads the list, followed by Aleksandrs Bartasevics (39), a fellow MP, and Igors Pimenovs (51), member of the Lithuanian association to support Russian language schools; (e) LSDSP (Latvijas Socialdemokratiska stradnieku partija, "Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party"), which is one of the most influential parties in Latvia and which dates back to 1904, under the Russian empire. The Party President Juris Bojars tops the list, ahead of former Minister for the Interior Janis Adamson, another leading light of the party, and Dainis Ivans (49), former journalist; (f) LC (Latvijas Cels, "Latvia's Way"), which promotes respect for human rights. Georgs Andrejevs (72) heads the list, ahead of former Prime Minister Andris Berzins (45) and Karina Petersone (50); (g) PCTVL (Par Cilveka Tiesibam Vieneta Latvija, "For Human Rights in United Latvia"), in coalition with the "Equality" party. This coalition also defends equality and freedom of rights. Tatjana Zdanoka is first on the list, followed by Miroslavs Mitrofanovs and MP Juris Sokolovskis (28); (h) The ecological parties ZZS (Zalo un Zemnieku Savieniba, "Greens and Farmers' Union"), LZS ("Latvian Farmers' Union", an agricultural party) and LZP ("Latvian Green Party"), putting their hopes into Baiba Rivza (LZS), followed by MP Andris Berzins (49); Environment Minister Raimonds Vejonis (38); (i) LSP (Latvijas socialistiskas partijas, a socialist/Marxist party), with MPs Martijans Bekasovs (55), observer, and Olegs Denisovs (38), followed by Filips Stroganovs; (j) TB (Tevzemei en Brivibai, "Union for the homeland"), affiliated to the LNNK ("National Conservative Party of Latvia"), the TB's radical wing. With its right-wing leanings, stressing laws on citizenship, it is also tough on non-indigenous populations. The former Head of Government, currently MP Guntars Krasts (47) heads the list, followed by Roberts Zile (46), former Finance Minister and current MP, and Girts Valdis Kristovskis, former Defence Minister. The six following parties are not represented in the EP: (a) the regional party Latgales Gaisma ("the Light of Gatgale"), with its president Rihards Eigims at the head of the list and Marija Jansone; (b) the national conservative party Konservativa Partija: Modris Lujans; Valerijs Belokons; (c) the social democratic party Apvienota socialdemokratiska labklajibas partija: Viktors Kalzberzs; Sergejs Zuravlovs; (d) KDS (Kristigi demokratiska savieniba): Brigita Tamane; Lucija Limane; (e) the Eurosceptics Eiroskepticki: Normunds Grostins; Janis Misa; (f) Socialdemokratu savieniba: Peteris Salkazanovs; Martins Draudins.
A survey conducted on 26 May by Latvijas Fatki puts the centrist party Jaunais Laiks ahead, with 14.6% of the votes, ahead of the TB/LNNK coalition (11.2%), and PCTVL (8.2%).