Latvia
Latvia performs in the high range across all four Global State of Democracy (GSoD) categories. It is amongst the world’s top 25 per cent with regard to nearly all factors, except for Inclusive Suffrage, Electoral Participation, and Civic Engagement. Between 2018-2023, it has shown notable improvements in Access to Justice, Representation (including Credible Elections), and Rule of Law (including Predictable Enforcement), with no significant declines. Latvia is a high-income country, with robust services, and to a lesser extent manufacturing industries. Challenges to its economy and society emerge from de-population due to emigration and income inequality.
In the 13th century, Latvian territory was inhabited by several Baltic peoples, who were united in ancient Livonia. Various powers fought for Latvian territory, and Riga came under Russian rule during the Great Northern War (1700-1721). Latvia proclaimed independence after the end of World War I, culminating in the foundation of the Republic of Latvia in 1918. With the outbreak of World War II, Latvia was occupied by the Nazis and the Soviet Union. Latvia transitioned to democracy in 1991, when the country gained independence from the Soviet Union. The country is home to a large ethnic Russian minority, who constitute approximately one quarter of the population, as well as sizeable Ukrainian and Belarusian communities. The Latvian language has become a marker in the drive to reinforce a national identity, creating dividing lines with the Russian-speaking populace, many of whom settled in Latvia during the time of the Soviet Union. The geopolitical consequences of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine have continued to feed this legacy of historical memory in Latvia. The government has accused neighbouring Belarus of using migration to put pressure on Latvia, and in 2023 approved controversial legislation legalising migrant “pushbacks,” interfering with the right to seek asylum.
Although Euroscepticism among politicians and political parties is rare, current issues in Latvian politics – such as emigration and the urban-rural divide – are often tied to European integration in the minds of the public. Relatedly, trust in government is notably low, as is voter turnout – which has stood between 55 and 59 per cent over the last decade. Low trust is exacerbated by cases of corruption in public procurement deals, and a string of money laundering scandals buffeting Latvia’s banking sector. Latvia also struggles with high inequality, where poverty is geographically concentrated in rural areas in the East, and is closely tied to poor social inclusion, including reduced access to good quality housing, health services, and education.
GSoD Indices data show that Latvia has consistently been a high performer on Gender Equality, leading Central European countries. Representation in political decision-making has been improving. There have been encouraging recent steps to tackle persistent gender-based violence, including amendments to the Criminal Law introducing harsher penalties for domestic violence and entry into force of the Istanbul Convention in 2024. However, women are more commonly employed in lower salaried economic activities and sectors, and a wage gap persists even in the same occupations. There have also been strides in terms of LGBTQIA+ rights, including legislation recognising same-sex partnerships in 2024. Yet members of the LGBTQIA+ community continue to face harassment.
Looking ahead, it will be important to watch Absence of Corruption, which has continuously fluctuated, including signs of progress in preparedness to prevent conflicts of interest in public administration. Additionally, it will be important to watch Social Group Equality, including in the context of migration policy, particularly the prosecution of activists who provided help to refugees. It will also be important to monitor whether holistic progress can be achieved in the area of Gender Equality, including a pending proposal to increase penalties for sexual harassment.
Last updated: September 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
June 2024
Parliament approves harsher penalties for domestic violence
On 6 June, Parliament approved a broad package of amendments to the Criminal Law that inter alia increased penalties for domestic violence. The changes make cruel or violent treatment against a “loved one,” and causing mental or physical suffering, a criminal offense punishable by up to three years in prison. The offense applies to abuse committed against a spouse or former spouse, as well as against individuals in a joint household or in a (current or former) permanent intimate relationship with the abuser. The amendments further increase penalties for intentional bodily harm against an intimate partner, as well as violence against a minor. The maximum sentence for these crimes, in cases of grievous bodily harm, is increased to 10 years of imprisonment. This comes roughly one month after the Istanbul Convention entered into force in Latvia on 1 May. A 2021 survey found that one in four Latvian women indicated experiences of sexual or physical violence in adulthood.
Sources: Saeima, Likumi, International IDEA, Central Statistical Bureau, LSM
May 2024
Parliament criminalises use of deep fakes that can influence elections
On 9 May, Parliament approved amendments to the Criminal Law, which criminalise the use of deep fake technology to influence an election process. Deep fakes refer to photos, video, audio and other media that have been digitally manipulated using artificial intelligence. The changes make it illegal to produce or disseminate information made using deep fake technology that is intentionally inaccurate to discredit political parties and electoral candidates standing in parliamentary, local or European Parliament elections. The criminal offense carries a maximum five-year jail sentence (but can also entail community service), and applies to content created or circulated as part of the pre-election campaign or on election day. The law entered into force on 22 May. On the same day, President Edgars Rinkēvičs proposed further amendments to the Criminal Law which extend to the use of deep fake technology to influence an ongoing election, appointment or confirmation process of a public official by the Parliament.
Sources: Saeima (1), Saeima (2), Likumi, LV, Delfi, Office of the President, LSM
March 2024
President approves amendments to Law on Associations and Foundations
On 6 March, the President promulgated amendments to the Law on Associations and Foundations, which make it mandatory for NGOs to specify their “scope of activity,” namely to clarify the nature of their operations. The changes are intended to fill data gaps in the activities of NGOs and improve monitoring to reduce the vulnerability of civil society. The Ministry of Justice has observed underreporting when such classification is voluntary. Further, the amendments make it easier for authorities to liquidate inactive NGOs, or those with financial violations, in order to counteract “shell organizations” used for money laundering and terrorist financing. In its most recent review, experts in the Council of Europe’s MONEYVAL committee recommended that Latvia systematically identify non-profit organisations at a higher risk of financing of terrorism. According to a 2019 report from the Latvian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), NGOs generally do not provide direct terrorist financing but can act as intermediaries to attract funding and conceal the money’s purpose or use.
Sources: Saeima Press Service, Saeima, Likumi, Vestnesis, LV, Council of Europe, EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, FIU
Parliament adopts amendments improving young people’s access to disability benefits
On 21 March, Parliament approved amendments to social benefits legislation which enable parents, foster families or out-of-family carers to apply for disability-related benefits on behalf of young people who are unable to express the will to claim benefits due to severe functional limitations and health disorders, once they reach the age of majority (18). In such situations, young people with disabilities, who relied on support as minors, can continue to receive benefits when they reach adulthood and become legally competent. Previously, young people with disabilities relied on a decision from more time-consuming court procedures to receive support, via the establishment of guardianship.
Sources: Saeima Press Service, Saeima, Likumi, Vestnesis, LV (1), LV (2)
February 2024
Constitutional Court upholds language requirements for Russian citizens
On 15 February, the Constitutional Court found that requirements for Russian citizens holding Latvian permanent residence permits to certify their knowledge of Latvian language comply with the Constitution and are proportionate with the duty of the state to defend national security and defend the national language. Amendments to the Immigration Law, adopted in 2022, gave Russian citizens until September 2023 (later extended to November) to demonstrate basic Latvian language skills in order to maintain a permanent residence permit. The ruling found that the provisions of the Immigration Law provide citizens of Russia with a “real opportunity” to obtain the legal grounds to continue staying in Latvia. The application was submitted by Russian citizens holding permanent residence permits. The Kremlin has objected to the amendments, and has sought to play up perceived unequal treatment of the Russian ethnic minority to create rifts in Latvian society and strengthen Russian identity in the diaspora in Baltic states.
Sources: LSM, Latvian Constitutional Court, Baltic Times, International IDEA (1), International IDEA (2), Deutsche Welle
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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2023
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Global State of Democracy Indices
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Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time
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