On October 3, 2023, Latvians will vote to elect their new parliament, which consists of 100 seats. In this context, threats from Russia and Belarus loom over the elections, making security one of the key issues of this campaign.
Security Threats and the Electoral Campaign
Four Eurofighter jets from the German Air Force have been stationed at the Lielvarde military base in Latvia. This move is part of NATO's efforts to strengthen air defense in the Baltic region and counter the frequent incursions of drones into Baltic airspace. These threats have raised alert levels in Latvia.
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In recent months, several drones have entered Baltic airspace, with the latest incident occurring on September 15 in Lithuania, where a drone was shot down by a NATO fighter due to its incursion from Belarus. Additionally, hybrid threats arising from migration flows are also viewed as a tool for pressure on the European Union by Belarus.
Party Positions and Economic Priorities
Most major parties in Latvia view Russia as a security challenge. Agens Kuppcha, a representative of the United List, states, "The biggest threats are our neighbors, Russia and Belarus." Latvia is one of the few NATO members that is legally committed to allocating 5 percent of its GDP to defense.
At the same time, the economic impact of distancing from Russia is a contentious issue. Before the Ukraine war, Russia was one of Latvia's most important trading partners. However, since 2022, imports from Russia and Belarus have decreased by over 90 percent.
Nevertheless, some parties still call for continued economic cooperation with Russia. Julia Stapanenko, leader of the ruling power alliance and youth of Latvia, believes a more realistic approach towards Russia should be adopted. In this regard, Ainars Slesers, leader of the Latvia First party, also emphasizes the continuation of goods transit with Russia.
Ultimately, this election will not only determine the political fate of Latvia but could also have profound effects on the country's relations with Russia and Belarus.
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