So, what do you think?

On this page you will find the results of short polls about various topics, some serious and some not, of interest to Latvians. Current polls are those in which you may vote. In each poll, you are allowed to vote only once. Closed polls are those in which voting has come to an end.

Bear in mind that these polls are not scientific, but merely a reflection of the opinion of those readers who bothered to answer the questions. Results should not be construed as an accurate reflection of our readership or of the Latvian community.

In open polls, click on a poll question to view voting options or to see results.

Current poll

Summer in China

March 31, 2008

Violent repression by Chinese authorities of protests in Tibet has led some critics to call for boycotts of this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing. Edward McMillan-Scott, a conservative member of the European Parliament who maintains the boycottbeijing.eu site, has even suggested a European-wide action.

The Latvian Olympic Committee, Chairman Aldons Vrubļevskis said March 24, does not support a boycott. The boycotts of the 1980s against the Olympic games in Moscow and Los Angeles ended up hurting only the athletes, he said in a LETA news service story posted on the Delfi portal and elsewhere.

Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, in an interview on Latvian State Radio, said his country’s athletes should go to China, but it’s up to politicians to decide if they will support the games with their presence. Zatlers said he still has not decided if he will attend, according to a LETA story posted on the Apollo portal. Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis will attend.

What do you think? Should Latvian athletes boycott the Summer Games in China?

Party time in Latvia

March 03, 2008

In recent months, defections from Latvia’s leading political parties have mounted, while talk continues of forming a new organization. The departures have been noteworthy—such as that of MP Sandra Kalniete leaving New Era (Jaunais laiks) or former foreign minister Artis Pabriks quitting the People’s Party (Tautas partija)—but also have included the rank and file.

The defections have been blamed on members’ unhappiness with party leadership and ideology, but public displeasure with the government also has played a role. Now at least two new parties are being formed. Kalniete and Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis, who quit For Fatherland and Freedom (Tēvzemei un Brīvībai / LNNK), have been organizing a new conservative party. Pabriks and fellow People’s Party defector Aigars Štokenbergs are working, surprisingly, on a new left-of-center party.

Does Latvia need a new political party? Journalist Kārlis Streips is among observers who have asked that question in recent weeks and have concluded that the country does not. Others, like journalist Sallija Benfelde, disagree.

Four political parties make up Latvia’s coalition government: the People’s Party; the coalition of the First Party of Latvia and Latvia’s Way (Latvijas Pirmā partija and Latvijas ceļš, or LPP/LC); For Fatherland and Freedom; and the Union of Greens and Farmers (Zaļo un Zemnieku savienība, or ZZS). Opposition parties in the Saeima include New Era and the left-leaning Harmony Centre (Saskaņas Centrs) and For Human Rights in United Latvia (Par cilvēka tiesībam vienotā Latvijā). During the last parliamentary election, a total 19 parties competed for the attention of voters.

What do you think? Does Latvia need a new political party (or two)?