Poll: 80% feel unable to influence politicians' decisions

Take note – story published 3 years ago

Only about 18% of Latvia's population believe they have some influence on what the Saeima and the government do, according to a survey conducted by the research centre SKDS, Latvian Radio reported on July 7.

Most of the population said they do not see possibilities to impact the work of politicians.

SKDS head Arnis Kaktiņš told Latvian Radio that this kind of survey has been conducted since 2013. Residents are asked to express their attitude to the claim that “people have no influence on what and how the Saeima and Government of Latvia do”.

Only 4% of respondents completely disagreed with this, and another 14% were more inclined to disagree. On the other hand, 49% fully agreed that they had no influence and another 31% were inclined to agree.

Kaktiņš said there were no significant changes in the answers over eight years.

He also said he sees where the results are coming from: "Let us look at the recent events when the Ministry of Culture decided on the construction and location of the new concert hall. It is a big thing, a lot of money, an essential object where public consultation was undoubtedly needed. Was there anything? It was decided just like that - we think we'll have it. Can we say that the public has had some impact? Not at all. It is similar to territorial reform, where many people feel unheard."

 

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