The President said that Russia's wounded but not defeated imperialism will still threaten Latvia and Europe, Russia's energy blackmail will continue, prices will rise, and living standards will suffer. “We'll all be acutely aware of it. The Covid-19 global pandemic has abated, but is not over,” the president said.
According to Levits, this crisis could not be anticipated when voting four years ago. Today, we cannot predict when these crises will end and what challenges are ahead for us in the future, said Levits.
"They will have to be addressed by the new – 14th Saeima. Therefore, Latvia needs a future Saeima and a government that has experience and foresight, power and pragmatism,” Levits said.
In Levits' view, “we need a Saeima and a government whose priority is Latvia's security, so the development of our armed forces, the establishment of a national defense service and close cooperation within NATO”.
The President expressed mistrust in parties whose representatives at the very beginning of the Russian war against Ukraine were not yet able to say who the aggressor was.
Secondly, according to Levits, Latvia needs a Saeima and a government that “is able to develop the economy in a powerful way. [..] That's why I don't believe in parties and politicians who promise to magically take away the complicated reality right here and now. I do not believe in those who offer simplified and useless solutions for complex problems, which promise to cut all costs and increase revenues here and now. Empty promises help the least in difficult times.”
Thirdly, in Levits' view, Latvia needs a Saeima and a government that “holds our country's national, Latvian identity dear”, and permanently reinforces the official language in the public environment.
“This is why I do not believe in parties and politicians who for decades have been unable to recognize and condemn the occupation of Latvia, who have, or still have, difficulty accepting that the Latvian language is our only official language; in parties and politicians who still see Russia as a trading partner or dream of residence permits for Russian citizens,” said the President.
In the statement, Levits calls on Latvian citizens not to believe those who say “your vote doesn't matter.”
“Don't expect others to make a decision for you! Don't let others decide for you! Your vote may prove decisive. In a democracy, responsibility for the country lies on the shoulders of citizens. On October 1, we must certify this by voting!” said Levits.
