Turnout in Latvia’s Saeima elections was 51% - LSM English
Latvia's recent parliamentary election saw a historically low turnout of 51%, which experts attribute to voter disillusionment and a perception of politics as a 'dirty business.' Researchers suggest this trend reflects a broader European decline in electoral participation and a potential rise in the desire for authoritarian leadership.
Why it matters
Low voter turnout can undermine the perceived legitimacy of democratic institutions and signal growing social alienation from the political process.
--> In Latvia, turnout in the October 3 Saeima elections was 51%. Yuriy Nikishin, a researcher of political participation at the University of Latvia, called it historically low and noted that declining electoral activity is also being observed in other European countries.
As LSM English reports , Nikishin has been researching political participation in Latvia for about 15 years. According to him, taking part in voting requires time, including to familiarize oneself with party programs, candidates, their reputations and previous activities.
In the researcher’s view, some people do not see the expected results, honesty and consistency in the parties’ proposals and politicians’ work. Therefore, politics is often perceived as a “dirty business,” and voters’ choices may depend more on trust in particular politicians than on party programs or political orientation.
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