How should the latest party ratings be assessed?

Latvia’s United List has widened its lead in the latest party ratings, rising from 12.2% in July to 15.2% in August. The party is represented by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and now leads a field in which six political forces are projected to clear the parliamentary threshold under a turnout-adjusted measure.

The SKDS survey questioned 1,205 Latvian citizens between Aug. 13 and 19. Across all eligible respondents, Sovereign Power/Young Latvians ranked second at 11.8%, up slightly from 11.4%. The Progressives placed third at 8.8%, narrowly ahead of Latvia First, whose support fell from 10% to 8.5%.

The National Alliance dropped from 5.5% to 4.5%, while New Unity edged down from 4.3% to 4.2%. The Greens and Farmers Union also declined, from 2.9% to 2.8%. Stabilitātei! rose from 1.9% to 2.7%, and For Latvia’s Development increased from 1.7% to 2.5%.

Support for We Change the Rules fell from 2.4% to 1.6%. It was followed by Harmony Centre, Rising Sun for Latvia, the Gobzems List and the New Conservative Party. A large share of respondents remained outside the main party rankings: 22.5% did not know whom they would support, while 11.2% said they would not vote.

Among respondents who had decided and said they intended to vote, the six parties above the 5% threshold were the United List, Sovereign Power/Young Latvians, the Progressives, Latvia First, New Unity and the National Alliance. Latvia will hold the 15th Saeima election on Saturday, Oct. 3.