P ARTIES AND ELECTIONS J ĀNIS I KSTENS

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Political parties – ever more inclusive?

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Growing party penetration since 2007 – Number of parties doubled – Number of party members grew by 70% – Low formal hurdles – Numerous local (!) parties

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Growing regulation and enforcement – Registry of party members – Minimum structure of decision making – Party/campaign finance restrictions

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? High salience of election campaigns Party finance – Private donations – Insignificant membership fees – Direct state funding since 2012

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Internal party democracy – Leader-centered war machines in hostile circumstances

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Low public trust in political parties – Government efficiency – Corruption – Issues of representation Main issue – limitation of undue (external) influence

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Elections – accountability at work?

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Decrease in voter turnout – Low trust in political efficacy – Socio-economic factors – Peculiarities of statistics

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Above-average voter volatility – Dissatisfaction with social/economic development – Low entrace thresholds for newcomers – Party finance and low institutionalization of parties

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Growing use of preference votes – Political sophistication – Age – Ethnic minorities

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Elections results accepted domestically and internationally – Wider participation opportunities – Good administration of elections – Measures against electoral fraud – Election observation (domestic/international)

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Avenues for further exploration – i-voting – Citizen associations eligible to field candidates – Wider access of candidates to media – Restrictions on KGB officers – NGOs and campaigning Main issue – falling turnout

Audit of Democracy How democratic is Latvia? Thank you!