Since autumn Latvia have become exciting and attractive observation area for many. One can call it misery and desperate action time, others - as just consequences and a heavy way of recovering from overheating.
My excitement started with nationalization of one of our largest commercial banks, then followed by stressing state budget making, accidentally reversed economic prognosis for the coming year; with suspected musician and teacher for spreading gossips about our currency`s devaluation, amazing loans and unemployment increase; finance minister`s legendary speech about nasing spešal [look at 1:27]; with prime minister`s new years speech, where he named us - penguins; civic riots with violence, farmer demonstration and public radio employees flash mob (without violence), some minister resignations, and a penguin movement raising (more about it here).
It starts to seem that this young, small and in some way rather boring European country now have gained a sense of humor, feelings, voice and experience. Maybe one day (and i am almost sure about it) it will turn into a country with character, backbone and maturity.
My developing maturity says that scheduling and preparation for significant events is necessary. This means that also European Parliament elections should be faced as one of them.
Unfortunately or maybe fortunately EP elections in Latvia will be in the same day with local municipal elections. Our local elections this year are gaining more attention than ever because Latvia has only just approved new administrative borders of districts, which means that fewer local governments will be elected. Whereas this leads to tougher political fights over cities and power in there and almost to a forgettening of EP elections.
Though there are still some things that reminds us about it. Already in last September it become known that one of the candidates for EP elections will be one of our most remarkable communists Alfrēds Rubiks, who has actually been imprisoned for his political actions. Officially his candidacy haven`t yet been approved, but if so, he will be a representative from currently most popular (but opposition) political party in Latvia - Saskaņas Centrs.
Another interesting candidate will be Atis Lejiņš. For more than 15 years he has been the soul of Latvian Institute of Foreign Affairs. Which basically means that he was a well respected researcher and commentator about political events. But now he has joined Latvijas Socialdemocratic Workers party, which has no representation in the parliament and not even close, and though doesn’t bring much hope of succession.
Other parties have not yet specified their candidates.
Interestingly there have been anonymously developed a new project about any kind of Latvia`s elections that are approaching. I find this source rather informative, up to date and in English (!).
Last but not least, one of the most popular Latvia`s radio stations Radio SWH (with support of EP Information bureau in Latvia) this Saturday will start a new 25 serie program about different European topics. Apparently to raise awareness, but unfortunately trying at pretty unpopular broadcast timings.
I hope that Latvia will excite, impress and surprise me also about EP election topic, not just about our inner affairs.
(11 votes, average: 3.45 out of 5)
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Nice approach to get to know pinguinland…
Enough ironic, but interesting beginning…
Thank you for easy possibility to find “nasing spešal” speech.
Well done, Marta!
Good summary!
Well, the ironic attitude is a general characteristic of regular Latvian. Top saying about Latvian’s goes as fallowed “There is no better meal to a Latvian but other Latvian” (apologize in advance for possible mistranslation). Thus despite more than critical politico economical situation within Latvia ironic is the only thing that keeps the minds of population and media space busy. So far concerning ironics- it’s fun, but once it turns out that ironic’s the only think (being ironic) that Latvian is capable of.. Well, than I fill sorry for that nation.
Here is a bit of truths. Since Latvia’s independency there was no real development of civic socieaty and the state affairs were pretty much delegated to elite (who obviously acted for a tinny interest of their own). So generally the country during 20 years of independence was deindustrialized and and its markets of different areas were flooded with foreign (mostly Scandinavian capital) which is why foreign companies are the only ones left in Latvian market. So this paragraph illustrates general lines of Latvian recent history: incompetent, self interested elite and sold national market. All this of course happened in front of Latvia’s inert population’s eyes.
Concerning the up coming EP elections- there is a problem. The elite has failed to a critical extent, so there are expectations for more competent minds. But the think is that only alternative to contemporary elite is provided by opposition which is mostly formed by existing EP members. So they would not be really avaible for the EP election as they have to get busy with local affairs.
The thing that was mentioned by blogger that I am responding to- increasing popularity of Russian minority representing left populists (Saskaņas Centrs). So there is a high possibility that those who will represent Latvia within EP will actually represent the Russians and leftist beliefs. And this will take place mainly owing to fact that there are hardly any legitimate political party that would represent people of liberal, republican or other acceptable beliefs.
I agree with Anita!
You succedded to make this mess of the last months events (but especially January) compact and coherent.
And I have to admit that I heard the second episode about European affairs by Radio SWH. It was about euro currency and I must say it was useful information to me.