Three candidates in the running to become Latvian State President

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Just three names have been put forward to become the next President of Latvia, the Saeima press service confirmed May 14 to the LETA news agency. Nominations have now closed.

As previously reported, the three in the running are European Court judge Egils Levits, civic rights ombudsman Juris Jansons, and Saeima deputy and former spokesman of the European Crabbing Association Didzis Šmits of the KPV LV party.

Levits is the overwhelming favorite after securing support of four out of five parties in the ruling coalition, while Jansons has the backing of the opposition Greens and Farmers' Alliance, and may possibly get backing from the largest opposition party, Harmony.

Šmits has the backing of a handful, but not all, of his fellow KPV LV members and can be considered a rank outsider bordering on a no-hoper.

The Saeima vote to choose the president for a four-year term will take place on May 29. Incumbent President Raimonds Vējonis has decided not to seek a second term in office.

To secure the presidency, a candidate must win 51 or more of 100 Saeima votes. According to current projections, Levits is on course to secure 55 votes.

You can read more about the process in our recent explanatory feature

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