According to him, there is no doubt that at the local and even regional level, the new organization is being formed with the aim of taking over the previous “Saskaņas” supporter base. The former mayor of Rēzekne, Aleksandrs Bartaševičs, acted in a similar way before, creating a new political party “Together with Latvia”.
“There is no doubt that they [“Sarauj, Latgale!”] there will be a considerable circle of supporters in these elections,” said Iksten, basing the possible success of the party both on the fact that Elksniņš is currently the mayor of the city and on his popularity outside of Daugavpils as well.
On the other hand, commenting on the prospects of the new party in the upcoming Saeima elections in 2026, Iksten said that consolidation is expected, because five political forces that were formed “on the ruins of “Saskaņa” – “Sarauj, Latgale”, “Kopā Latvijai” are vying for one part of the electorate. , Latvian Russian Union, ”Stability” and “Skaņa” itself. Consolidation is nothing new, because already, for example, Bartaševičs has announced cooperation with Ainārs Šleser’s “Latvia first”, while “Vienotība” cooperates with a number of regional parties, the expert admitted.
“The question is only who will become the center of gravity, what ideas will be brought to the table. It will also be decisively important how the cooperation with Russia will be positioned,” Iksten pointed out.
The political scientist believes that the municipal elections in 2025 will be an opportunity for the new political forces to assess their strength. And after that, by correctly reading the voter’s assessment, the parties will be able to think about running in the Saeima elections after a year.
LETA already reported that on Saturday, at Daugavpils University, in the presence of around 270 people, the regional party “Sarauj, Latgale!” was founded. Elksniņš, Andris Morozovs and social activist Anna Nariškina, who ran in the 2021 municipal elections from the ”Saskaņas” list, were elected to the board. .
230 people participated in the voting, and Elksniņš was elected as the chairman of the party board.
The newly founded political force “Sarauj, Latgale!” presents itself as a socially conservative party of the Latgale region, pledging to fight for the protection of the interests of the region and the preservation of traditions, the social equality of the population, as well as to treat the cultural and ethnic diversity of Latgale with respect.
“Srauj, Latgale!” the program states that the purpose of the operation of the political force is to defend the interests of the Latgale region and the residents of Latgale, improve the quality of life of the residents of Latgale and promote the socio-economic development of Latgale, including promoting entrepreneurship, creating new jobs, as well as preserving the cultural heritage and the unique identity of the region. The party undertakes to ensure administrative transparency, strengthen regional municipalities, promote active dialog with the government and municipalities of other regions, as well as promote sustainable development of Latgale, taking into account its geographical, economic and cultural peculiarities.
The party’s program is divided point by point into six directions – defense of the interests of Latgale, economic development, social policy, culture and identity, dialog with society and cooperation, as well as ecological sustainability.
How might the outcome of the 2025 municipal elections influence the political dynamics in Latvia?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news. Today, we’re diving into the evolving political landscape in Latvia, particularly focusing on the new party “Sarauj, Latgale!” which emerged recently. Joining us is political scientist, Dr. Iksten. Thank you for being here, Dr. Iksten.
Dr. Iksten: Thank you for having me!
Editor: Let’s start with the inception of “Sarauj, Latgale!” It seems to be positioning itself in a way that could attract former supporters of “Saskaņa.” Can you elaborate on this strategy?
Dr. Iksten: Absolutely. The formation of “Sarauj, Latgale!” appears to be a strategic move to capture the electorate previously loyal to “Saskaņa.” Former Rēzekne mayor, Aleksandrs Bartaševičs, pioneered a similar approach with his party “Together with Latvia.” It’s evident that local and regional dynamics are shifting, and this new organization clearly aims to capitalize on that.
Editor: With “Sarauj, Latgale!” being led by a current mayor, do you think their chances in the upcoming elections are promising?
Dr. Iksten: Yes, I believe they have a considerable circle of supporters. The popularity of Elksniņš, the mayor of Daugavpils, is a significant asset. His influence goes beyond the city, giving the party a strong foundation as they approach the elections.
Editor: Interesting! You mentioned that multiple political forces are emerging from the “Saskaņa” fragmentation. Can you explain the implications of this consolidation?
Dr. Iksten: Of course. We’re witnessing a scenario where parties like “Kopā Latvijai,” the Latvian Russian Union, and others are vying for the same electorate. This consolidation isn’t new; we’ve seen it before in Latvian politics. Bartaševičs’s cooperation with Ainārs Šleser’s “Latvia first” illustrates how parties are aligning strategically. The big question now is which party will become the focal point for these supporters and what policies they will advocate.
Editor: How crucial do you think the municipal elections in 2025 will be for these emerging parties?
Dr. Iksten: These elections will be critical. They provide an opportunity for new political forces to gauge their public support and refine their strategies. The results will undoubtedly influence their approach going into the Saeima elections in 2026. Understanding voter sentiments will be key for their success.
Editor: Can you comment on how the relationship with Russia might affect these emerging parties and their electoral strategies?
Dr. Iksten: This is a pivotal issue. How each party navigates its stance on cooperation with Russia will significantly impact its support base. Voters have varying perspectives on this topic, so aligning with widely accepted views will be crucial for any party hoping to gain traction.
Editor: As a final thought, what do you think is the most important takeaway from the founding of “Sarauj, Latgale!”?
Dr. Iksten: The most important takeaway is that the political landscape in Latvia is becoming increasingly fragmented. As new parties emerge, the established ones will need to adapt significantly. The next few years will be critical for defining the future of Latvia’s political environment.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Iksten, for your insights. The evolution of Latvia’s political scene will certainly be fascinating to observe as we approach the upcoming elections.
Dr. Iksten: Thank you for having me. It’s a transformative time for Latvian politics, and I look forward to seeing how it unfolds!