RIGA, June 3 (Itar-Tass) - At the recent elections to local self-government bodies in Latvia people voted for stability, President of the republic Andris Berzins said on Monday, commenting on the polls results.
“Many forces remained in power, although the struggle was very intense. People are interested in stability, the former heads of local self-government bodies have already shown themselves. There is no much use in talk, it is necessary to get down to work,” press secretary Liga Krapane quoted the president, who is currently on a visit to Kazakhstan.
Berzins explains the record low voter turnout in the elections by the fact that many Latvians have emigrated abroad. “Registered residents - it’s one thing. The actual number is lower because people actually live somewhere else,” he said.
On June 1, municipal elections were held in Latvia. As many as 1,618 deputies were elected to local self-government bodies across the country. A total of 589 electoral lists with 8,725 candidates were registered at the elections. The voter turnout was 45.99 percent - more than 686 thousand people.
Twelve political parties and associations were vying for 60 seats in the Riga City Council.
The current ruling coalition comprising the largest Russian-speaking association Harmony Centre led by incumbent first Russian mayor of Riga Nil Ushakov and the Honour to Serve Riga! party headed by vice mayor Andris Ameriks won a landslide victory in the Latvian capital’s elections. These political forces started at the elections with a single list of candidates and received the support of 58.54 percent of voters and 39 seats in the City Council. The nationalist association All for Latvia! - For Fatherland and Freedom / Latvian National Independence Movement which received 17.86 percent of votes and 12 parliamentary seats took the second place. The Unity party with 14.13 percent and 9 seats took the third place.