Can a nation trade GDP growth for the pursuit of happiness?
In short: The Progressives are pushing for a significant shift in Latvian national priorities. Rather than focusing on traditional economic metrics, this social democratic and green party promotes a Nordic welfare model that favors societal well-being and environmental health over raw production numbers, aiming to replace GDP with the Happiness Index.
Founded in 2017 as a successor to a social-democratic NGO, the Progressives (PRO) position themselves as a green, pro-European force in Latvian politics. Their core ideology, encapsulated in their 'Turning towards the Nordic countries' program, seeks to move Latvia away from neoliberal economic policies. They advocate for an active state role in the economy, a progressive tax system, and a shift in how success is measured—proposing the Happiness Index as a viable alternative to GDP.
The party’s path to power has been marked by strategic pragmatism regarding alliances. In 2018, they notably declined a liberal alliance to protect their left-wing policies and high standards for political donations. However, by the 2020 Riga municipal elections, they joined the Development/For! alliance to oust a corruption-tainted administration. This balance between ideological purity and practical governance culminated in 2025 when they secured 11 seats in Riga's city council, leading to Viesturs Kleinbergs becoming the Mayor of Riga.
Beyond domestic economics, the Progressives champion a robust internationalist stance. They support Latvia’s role on NATO's Eastern Flank and advocate for an EU common army and a permanent UN Security Council seat for the European Union. Their platform also emphasizes cultural inclusivity, supporting dual citizenship for the diaspora and minority languages in schools while opposing ethnic segregation. On the global stage, they maintain a firm stance against Russian aggression and support a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine based on 1967 borders.
Currently, the party holds 10 seats in the Saeima (parliament) and one seat in the European Parliament. They rejoined the opposition following their role as a minor ally within the Siliņa government, which concluded in May 2026. Their future strategy involves broad coalition-building, with their 2026 parliamentary list including candidates from various municipal parties and NGOs.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: The Progressives (Latvia)
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