Politicians acknowledge that it is barely a passing grade [in the Latvian school system, 4 out of 10 is considered a pass] but members of the public admitted in a discussion on February 21 that they would put the politicians' performance on a ten-point scale at an even lower or similar mark.
The survey asked respondents to rate the performance of politicians from all political forces on a ten-point scale, asking: what grade would you give Latvian politicians for their work in strengthening Latvia's external and internal security since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine?
Only 0.7% and 1.6% of respondents gave a 10 or 9, while 11.9%, 6.4% and 15.7% gave poor (3), very poor (2), and very, very poor (1) marks respectively. The average mark for the work done by politicians is 4.46.
Socio-demographically, the highest marks for politicians were given on average by young people aged 18-24 and respondents with primary education. The lowest average scores are for respondents without Latvian citizenship – 3.32.
On February 21 KNL show themed "Two years after Russia invaded Ukraine, what is happening to security, the economy and people?" politicians saw this mark as an invitation to be self-critical. Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis argued that steps had been taken in the direction of capacity development in external security and the average mark should have been higher. He had no answer to the question why the public had given such a rating.
The public feels insecure and this is reflected in the survey, said Defense Minister Andris Sprūds (Progressives). Economics Minister Viktors Valainis (Greens and Farmers Union) said that the public is waiting for more visible and concrete action, criticizing, for example, the long process of building a fence on Latvia's external border.
Experts from various fields in the program, however, agreed with the poll's assessment. For example, Ulvis Noviks, head of the non-governmental association "Tavi draugi", which helps Ukrainians and Ukraine, said he agreed with the average mark. Military expert Mārtiņš Vērdiņš, on the other hand, was ready to rate politicians even with a failing grade.He said that there are too many declarations, concepts, and plans in politics, but less clear action. Andris Bite, President of the Employers' Confederation of Latvia, gave a higher score, between 4 and 5, saying he would like to see more clarity on plans and actions, and also clearer public involvement.
Between February 17 and 19, 1,005 respondents across Latvia took part in the survey.
