https://eng.lsm.lv/ eng.lsm.lv en https://eng.lsm.lv//assets/logo/lsm_hi.png https://eng.lsm.lv/ https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/16.07.2026-almost-a-quarter-of-latgale-election-candidates-live-elsewhere.a655286/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 16 Jul 2026 10:17:00 GMT 655286 In the 15th Saeima elections, which are due to take place on October 3rd, there are fewer candidates standing in the eastern Latgale region than four years ago, and around one in four of those that are standing don't even live in the region. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/09.07.2026-election-candidate-removed-due-to-lack-of-latvian-citizenship.a654505/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 09 Jul 2026 12:02:09 GMT 654505 The Central Election Commission (CVK) decided on Thursday to remove Jurijs Jesipenko from the list of candidates for the 15th Saeima election in the Rīga electoral district submitted by the political party alliance “Harmony Centre,” the CVK told the LETA news agency. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/07.07.2026-four-saeima-candidates-have-declared-collaboration-with-ussr-services.a654122/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 07 Jul 2026 07:18:00 GMT 654122 Four candidates for the 15th Saeima have indicated in their questionnaires published by the Central Election Commission (CVK) that they have collaborated with the security services, intelligence services, or counterintelligence services of the USSR, the Latvian SSR, or a foreign country, according to an analysis of candidate data conducted by LETA. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/06.07.2026-party-order-announced-for-latvias-parliamentary-elections.a654028/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 06 Jul 2026 11:34:44 GMT 654028 On Monday, July 6, the Saeima held a lottery to assign numbers to the lists of registered candidates for the 15th Saeima elections scheduled for October.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/06.07.2026-smaller-older-more-male-dominated-election-candidate-pool-in-latvia.a653954/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 06 Jul 2026 06:29:00 GMT 653954 The pool of candidates registered for the 15th Saeima elections is smaller, older, and, based on formal education indicators, better educated than in previous Saeima elections, according to an analysis of Central Election Commission (CEC) data conducted by LETA. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/01.07.2026-defence-minister-melnis-wont-stand-in-saeima-elections.a653400/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:16:54 GMT 653400 Recently-installed Defence Minister Raivis Melnis will not be standing in the upcoming Saeima elections on October 3rd, he confirmed to Latvian Radio on July 1st. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/17.06.2026-election-planners-consider-possible-air-threats-in-latvia.a651783/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 17 Jun 2026 05:37:42 GMT 651783 The upcoming parliamentary elections this fall are being planned with the potential risk of air hazards in mind. Most polling stations will be located in municipal buildings, so the Central Election Commission (CVK) is asking local governments to provide information about shelter options at these locations, Vidusdaugava Television reports on June 16. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/12.06.2026-latvias-election-digital-platform-developing-smoothly-says-agency.a651265/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:39:58 GMT 651265 Digital election system development is going according to plan, said State Digital Development Agency (VDAA) on June 12. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/06.06.2026-pre-election-period-starts-in-latvia-with-a-wary-eye-on-ai-influence.a650414/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 06 Jun 2026 08:34:00 GMT 650414 On Saturday, June 6th, the official pre-election campaign period for the 15th Saeima elections begins in Latvia, which will last until election day itself – October 3rd. The pre-election period runs for 120 days. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/28.04.2026-election-system-entrusted-to-lmt-tet-and-latvian-state-forests.a644913/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:32:00 GMT 644913 The development of the election system will be entrusted to the companies "Latvijas mobilais telefons" (LMT), "Tet," and "Latvijas valsts meži" (LVM), Prime Minister Evika Siliņa ("New Unity") announced following Tuesday’s meeting of the Crisis Management Council. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/21.04.2026-latvian-ministry-ditches-election-services-provider-suggests-replacements.a643886/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Apr 2026 12:50:00 GMT 643886 The Ministry of Regional Development and Smart Administration (VARAM) announced on April 21st that the contract with the developer of the election platform used in Latvian elections, AS "RIX Technologies", has been terminated. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/26.03.2026-votes-will-be-counted-by-hand-in-latvias-parliamentary-election-this-year.a640524/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:58:00 GMT 640524 On Thursday, March 26th, the Saeima adopted an amendment to the Saeima Election Law, which means that all vote counting in the 15th Saeima elections, due to take place in the Autumn, will be by hand. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/24.03.2026-manual-counting-will-make-elections-costlier-in-latvia.a640169/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 24 Mar 2026 09:03:48 GMT 640169 Counting votes manually could slightly increase the cost of the 15th Saeima elections in October this year, Māris Zviedris, chairman of the Central Election Commission (CVK), said in interviews with Latvian Television and Latvian Radio on Tuesday morning. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/05.03.2026-illegal-election-influencer-to-be-prosecuted-in-latvia.a637471/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 05 Mar 2026 07:46:11 GMT 637471 On February 25th, the State Security Service (VDD) urged the prosecutor's office to initiate criminal proceedings against a Latvian citizen for unlawfully influencing the choice of several voters in last year's municipal elections in the Cēsis municipality. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/26.02.2026-saeima-elections-in-riga-will-have-158-polling-stations-including-zoo.a636444/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 26 Feb 2026 06:34:40 GMT 636444 On Wednesday, the Rīga City Council approved the list of polling stations for the 15th Saeima elections scheduled for October 3 this year – voters in the capital will be able to cast their ballots at 158 polling stations. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/28.01.2026-latvian-election-chief-voting-will-be-more-convenient-in-2026.a631978/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 28 Jan 2026 10:26:00 GMT 631978 The head of the Central Election Commission (CVK), Māris Zviedris, has promised that this year's parliamentary elections, which will take place in October, will run smoothly and that the mistakes that cost the job of his predecessor will not repeated, reports LSM's Latvian-language service in an interview. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/23.01.2026-livestream-latvian-saeima-considers-free-and-fair-elections-on-friday.a631159/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:53:00 GMT 631159 A conference titled “Free and Fair Elections: Contemporary Challenges” will be held in the Saeima on Friday, January 23rd. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/23.10.2025-four-votes-bought-with-booze-and-cash-during-municipal-elections-in-latvia.a619568/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 23 Oct 2025 13:31:08 GMT 619568 Four voters in this year's local elections in one of the parishes of Jelgava municipality were bribed with alcohol and cash, according to the LETA news agency. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/05.08.2025-latvian-digital-agencys-head-demoted-over-election-issues.a609236/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 05 Aug 2025 07:16:12 GMT 609236 The Director of the State Digital Development Agency (VDAA), Jorens Liopa, has been demoted for irregularities in the organisation of information technology (IT) processes for the 2025 municipal elections, LETA reported on 4 August. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/31.07.2025-new-head-of-latvias-central-election-commission-takes-office.a608681/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 31 Jul 2025 05:32:00 GMT 608681 The new head of the Central Election Commission (CVK), Māris Zviedris, officially took up the post on Wednesday, 30 July, Latvian Radio reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/07.07.2025-74-cases-launched-on-pre-election-law-breaches-in-latvia.a605851/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:20:30 GMT 605851 To date, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has initiated 74 administrative violation proceedings in connection with the recent local elections, the LETA news agency reports on 7 June. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/01.07.2025-over-half-of-latvian-municipalities-get-new-mayors.a605165/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 01 Jul 2025 13:37:57 GMT 605165 Following local elections held in early June, more than half of Latvia's municipal councils have new chairpersons, with 22 new mayors elected and 20 remaining in office, according to data compiled by the LETA news agency. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/27.06.2025-tender-launched-for-latvias-election-system-audit.a604714/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 27 Jun 2025 10:45:00 GMT 604714 The State Digital Development Agency (VDAA) has announced a tender for a research audit of the election platform's operations during the 2025 municipal elections, according to information in the Electronic Procurement System. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/26.06.2025-several-latvian-municipalities-get-their-mayors-back-for-another-term.a604592/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 26 Jun 2025 13:09:00 GMT 604592 On Thursday, new chairpersons were elected in five Latvian municipalities, while in six municipalities, people who had previously held these positions returned to office. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/26.06.2025-court-rejects-latvia-firsts-claim-against-municipal-election-results.a604503/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 26 Jun 2025 05:43:26 GMT 604503 On Wednesday, 25 June, the Administrative Regional Court rejected the claim by the party Latvia First to annul the municipal election results in Rīga, even though the party proved the most popular among Rīgans. The party had demanded that repeat elections be held in the capital. The full ruling will be available on Thursday, 26 June. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/16.06.2025-zviedris-wins-backing-to-become-new-election-chief.a603477/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 16 Jun 2025 13:50:00 GMT 603477 The Latvian government coalition agreed on Monday to nominate Riga Election Commission head Māris Zviedris for the position of Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CVK), Latvia's national election organizer. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/13.06.2025-political-parties-spent-just-over-2-million-euros-on-local-election-campaigns.a603212/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 13 Jun 2025 13:43:00 GMT 603212 Political parties and their associations spent a total of 2,110,364.76 euros on their campaigns before the recent local elections, according to information compiled by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/12.06.2025-political-parties-in-latvia-will-need-more-members-to-run-in-saeima-elections.a603074/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 12 Jun 2025 16:08:37 GMT 603074 Only political parties with at least 1,000 registered members and party alliances with 1,500 registered members will be able to run in future Saeima elections, according to amendments to the Saeima Election Law adopted in the final reading by the Saeima on Thursday, June 12. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/12.06.2025-latvias-central-election-commission-head-dismissed.a603036/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:34:00 GMT 603036 On Thursday, 12 June, a majority of Saeima deputies decided to dismiss Kristīne Saulīte, head of the Central Election Commission (CVK), from her position based on her own request. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/12.06.2025-security-council-elections-were-secure-despite-errors.a602964/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 12 Jun 2025 06:52:39 GMT 602964 The National Security Council concluded after a meeting on 11 June that there were significant errors in the organisation of the recent local elections, but overall, the elections were secure. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/12.06.2025-latvias-election-body-head-to-resign-after-all.a602949/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 12 Jun 2025 05:44:30 GMT 602949 The head of the Central Election Commission (CVK), Kristīne Saulīte, has decided to resign from her position and has informed the Presidium of the Saeima of her decision. Saulīte's resignation is related to the problems with the local government election system. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/11.06.2025-slesers-party-contests-municipal-election-results-in-riga.a602895/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:36:37 GMT 602895 The chairman of the party Latvia First (LPV), Ainārs Šlesers, has signed a letter to the Central Election Commission (CVK), the Prosecutor General's Office and the State Security Service (VDD) contesting the results of the local elections in Rīga and calling for them to be annulled, according to party board member Līga Krapāne. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/11.06.2025-head-of-latvias-election-authority-might-quit-over-vote-count-technical-glitches.a602814/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 11 Jun 2025 08:58:00 GMT 602814 The head of Latvia's Central Election Commission (CVK), Kristīne Saulīte, announced her resignation on Wednesday, June 11, only to say that she would "think about it" a few hours later. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/11.06.2025-latvian-russian-union-contests-municipal-election-results-in-liepaja.a602781/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 11 Jun 2025 05:41:03 GMT 602781 The leader of the Latvian Russian Union (LKS) list in the Liepāja municipal elections, Jeļena Osipova, has contested the results of the municipal elections in Liepāja, according to the political party. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/09.06.2025-liepaja-will-have-an-all-male-city-council.a602535/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:38:44 GMT 602535 Liepāja City Council is the only local government in Latvia where only men were elected in these local elections, according to preliminary results from the Central Election Commission (CVK). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/09.06.2025-coalition-party-calls-for-latvian-election-chief-to-depart-over-vote-count-glitch.a602538/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:09:38 GMT 602538 The Greens and Farmers' Union (ZZS), which is one of three parties in Latvia's ruling coalition, believes that the leadership of the Central Election Commission (CVK) must take responsibility for the problems encountered during vote counting in the local elections and is calling on Saeima deputies to dismiss the CVK head, Kristīne Saulīte, reports LSM's Latvian language service. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/09.06.2025-latvias-municipal-election-results-confirmed.a602529/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 09 Jun 2025 13:48:52 GMT 602529 All municipal election commissions have informed the Central Election Commission (CVK) that the municipal election results have been confirmed, CVK public relations representative Andrejs Vaivars told the LETA news agency on 9 June afternoon. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/09.06.2025-how-voters-moved-riga-city-council-members-up-and-down.a602485/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 09 Jun 2025 09:56:06 GMT 602485 Colour in the green square and say ‘yes’ to the candidate, colour in the red square and say ‘no’. This opportunity for voters to change the party lists has also changed who could become members of the Riga City Council, Latvian Television reports on 9 June. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/09.06.2025-latvian-digital-agencys-head-suspended-over-election-problems.a602436/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 09 Jun 2025 05:52:00 GMT 602436 On Monday, 9 June, Inga Bērziņa (New Unity), Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM) suspended Jorens Liopa, director of the State Digital Development Agency (VDAA), from his duties. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/08.06.2025-inquiry-to-be-launched-into-latvian-election-systems-errors.a602408/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 08 Jun 2025 18:28:16 GMT 602408 On Monday morning, an inter-institutional working group, which was set up in February to ensure the smooth running of the election process, will hold an emergency meeting to look into why the elections did not exactly run smoothly, Latvian Television reports. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/08.06.2025-latvian-local-election-results-are-in-provisionally.a602361/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 08 Jun 2025 08:06:00 GMT 602361 Provisional results of the nationwide municipal elections held in Latvia on June 7 have been published by the Central Election Commission and, as expected, show a very varied picture across the country according to local circumstances. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/07.06.2025-turnout-tops-47-in-latvian-local-elections.a602291/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 07 Jun 2025 18:40:00 GMT 602291 Half an hour after polls closed in Latvia's nationwide municipal elections on June 7, total turnout was reported to be 47% – considerably better than the 34% turnout in 2021. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/07.06.2025-its-local-election-day-in-latvia.a602232/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sat, 07 Jun 2025 07:43:00 GMT 602232 Local elections are taking place across Latvia on Saturday, June 7 with polling stations open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The elections are taking place to elect councils in 42 districts – including the key battleground of Rīga. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/06.06.2025-early-voting-closes-in-latvias-local-elections-with-16-turnout.a602215/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 06 Jun 2025 19:13:00 GMT 602215 Over five days of early voting in Latvia's nationwide local elections – on June 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 – at least 221,924 or 16.11% of eligible voters cast their ballots, according to information from the Central Election Commission (CVK).  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/06.06.2025-knab-450-cases-opened-on-election-campaigning-violations.a602084/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 06 Jun 2025 06:47:00 GMT 602084 The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) received approximately 600 reports of possible pre-election campaign violations prior to the local elections, and investigations were launched in 450 cases, which is a very high number, Amīlija Raituma, head of the KNAB's Political Organisation Violations Investigation Department, said on Latvian Television's programme Morning Panorama on 6 June. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/06.06.2025-no-more-pre-election-ads-in-latvia.a602070/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 06 Jun 2025 05:19:57 GMT 602070 On Friday, 6 June, and the day of the local elections, Saturday, 7 June, the distribution of pre-election campaign materials in public spaces is prohibited, as reminded by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/05.06.2025-latvias-election-turnout-surpasses-10-on-fourth-day.a601965/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 05 Jun 2025 10:36:06 GMT 601965 According to information from the Central Election Commission (CVK), at least 140,428 or 10.2% of voters cast their ballots in the local elections during the four early voting days – 2, 3, 4 and 5 June. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/05.06.2025-latvian-election-system-experiences-issues-again-on-wednesday.a601907/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 05 Jun 2025 05:42:59 GMT 601907 The online voter register was temporarily unavailable on Wednesday because the system received an unprecedented number of requests, causing the security system to block the register, Central Election Commission (CVK) spokesman Andrejs Vaivars told Latvian Radio on 4 June. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/04.06.2025-early-voter-turnout-surpasses-75-so-far-in-latvian-local-elections.a601894/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 04 Jun 2025 20:08:00 GMT 601894 After three early voting days – June 2, 3 and 4 – 103,877 or 7.54% of eligible voters have cast their ballots in the Latvian local elections, according to information from the Central Election Commission (CVK).  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/politics/election/04.06.2025-low-turnout-a-distinct-possibility-in-this-weeks-latvian-local-elections.a601744/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 04 Jun 2025 07:56:00 GMT 601744 With locals elections taking place across Latvia on June 7 (early voting is already under way) the Central Election Commission is optimistic about the potential turnout, but experts and previous experience suggest it may be extremely low.