The paradox of Latvian politics: winning seats while losing the public's trust

Countries & Cities · Published 16 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 2018, Latvia’s parliamentary elections saw a surge in populist energy and new faces. Yet, despite a booming economy with an 8.4 per cent wage increase, the ruling coalition collapsed. It was a masterclass in how perceived inefficiency and corruption can outweigh tangible economic success.

The 2018 Latvian parliamentary elections on October 6 showcased a significant shift toward populist challengers. Despite a robust economy—evidenced by wages rising 8.4 per cent annually during 2018's second quarter—the ruling coalitions (Unity, National Alliance, and Union of Greens and Farmers) neglected to exploit such prosperity. Instead, they were hampered by corruption scandals and a public perception of government inefficiency. This led to a disappointing performance for incumbents who struggled to impose their agenda against a wave of 'new faces.'

The election was defined by the rise of new parties like KPV LV, which used aggressive, often ad hominem attacks to criticize the political elite. Other newcomers, such as ‘For Development’ and the New Conservative Party, adopted more refined styles but shared the common goal of greater transparency and the rule of law. Interestingly, while these challengers won significant ground—KPV LV and the New Conservative Party each gained 16 seats—they were not entirely 'new.' Some leaders had been in parliament since 2014, and others were seasoned politicians rebranding for a fresh start.

Structural changes also played a role. Since 2016, restrictions required parties to have existed for at least 12 months and possessed 500 members to submit candidate lists. While the ruling coalition framed this as providing better alternatives, critics viewed it as a way to protect incumbents from competition. Despite these hurdles, sixteen different lists were submitted across five districts. The results highlighted a fractured landscape: while the pro-Russian Harmony party retained the most seats (23), its Slavic minority base was shrinking, and the electorate remained divided on who truly represented their interests.

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