IDEOLOGICAL POSITIONS OF LATVIAN POLITICAL PARTIES AND PARTY ASSOCIATIONS IN THE 14TH PARLIAMENT IN THE CONTEXT OF NATIONAL SECURITY

Abstract

Latvia and the broader Baltic region face persistent security challenges from neighbouring areas, particularly due to hybrid threats. Therefore, political parties and party associations have become essential components of the political stability and internal security of the country. The ideological diversity within parliament has a significant impact on political stability and resilience; the lack of a unified, security-orientated policy could potentially weaken Latvia’s position within EU and NATO cooperation frameworks. This study identifies key ideological trends and assesses how these positions align or conflict with Latvia’s security goals, NATO commitments, and EU integration goals. The research methodology is based solely on qualitative methods for data collection, analysis, and interpretation. The 14th Saeima (Latvian Parliament), elected in late 2022, includes seven political parties and associations with a wide range of ideological stances, from centre-right to leftist and nationalist perspectives. The findings reveal that: 1) no parties in parliament share identical ideologies, value systems or governance plans; 2) most parliamentary parties have ideological positions closely related to national security, especially given the geopolitical threats in the region; 3) the majority prioritise national security, adhering closely to NATO and EU policies, while a minority takes a more cautious or populist position that could promote internal divisions in the long term; and 4) one party, which adopts a critical position towards the current government and appeals strongly to Latvia’s Russian-speaking population, fosters social division through its messaging. Parties that amplify societal divisions with populist rhetoric could become internal security risks, potentially exploitable by external forces such as pro-Kremlin actors. Over time, this risk could undermine social unity and facilitate foreign interference or disinformation campaigns.