Latvian presidential election, 2007
Encyclopedia
A presidential election was held in the Latvia
n Saeima
on 31 May 2007. The government candidate Valdis Zatlers
defeated Aivars Endziņš
.
Before the governing coalition had agreed on Zatlers as a candidate, the People's Party
had proposed Māris Riekstiņš
and LPP/LC
had proposed Karina Pētersone
. They subsequently withdrew their candidacies. Similarly, the New Era Party
had proposed Sandra Kalniete
, who withdrew her candidacy after Harmony Centre
nominated Endziņš. For Human Rights in United Latvia
did not nominate a candidate, it was announced after election that they supported Endziņš.
, who held office from 1999 to 2007, managed to gain political authority and high popular approval. By Latvian law one cannot be president for more than eight years. Therefore, the previous president could not be re-elected and the election drew significant public attention.
Notably, the New Era Party
announced that its candidate would be Sandra Kalniete
, before the Saeima election held in 2006
, and used the slogan "Kalniete for president!" in its parliamentary election campaign. As election day drew nearer, a political battle between the two remaining candidates ensued. Zatlers, who is a doctor, was accused of taking money from his patients, which he admitted. This is connected with a set of problems in Latvia's domestic politics: people employed in health care are considered underpaid; patients often give doctors gifts of gratitude, sometimes in the form of money, and some doctors are accused of extortion
. Notably, former Health minister Āris Auders had to leave office when one of his patients accused him of fraud. Zatlers was also criticized for lack of experience. Endziņš in turn was criticized for having been a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
before the independence of Latvia was re-established: this caused even more passionate debate when it was discovered that Endziņš had denied the occupation of Latvia in the 1970s.
Endziņš was the most popular candidate among the general public. An opinion poll showed that Endziņš was supported by 54% of Latvians and Zatlers was supported by 29%.
People at the house of Parliament of Latvia shouted - "Envelopes! Envelopes!" and "Thief! Thief!", when Zatlers came out after elections.
voted for Zatlers.
Valdis Zatlers
was elected president.
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
n Saeima
Saeima
Saeima is the parliament of the Republic of Latvia. It is a unicameral parliament consisting of 100 members who are elected by proportional representation, with seats allocated to political parties which gain at least 5% of the popular vote. Elections are scheduled to be held once every four years,...
on 31 May 2007. The government candidate Valdis Zatlers
Valdis Zatlers
Valdis Zatlers is a Latvian politician and former physician who served as the seventh president of Latvia from 2007 to 2011. He won the Latvian presidential election of 31 May 2007...
defeated Aivars Endziņš
Aivars Endzinš
Aivars Endziņš is a Latvian lawyer and politician.He graduated from University of Latvia in 1968, in 1977 he attained candidate of legal sciences degree, but in 1997 he became Doctor of Jurisprudence. He has worked as a lecturer in University of Latvia and, later, in higher school of business...
.
Nominations
| Candidate | Nominated by | Date of entry | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandra Kalniete Sandra Kalniete Sandra Kalniete is a Latvian politician, author, diplomat and independence movement leader. She served as Foreign Minister of Latvia 2002–2004 and as European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries in 2004... |
New Era Party New Era Party The New Era Party , abbreviated to JL, was a centre-right political party in Latvia. Founded in 2002, the party merged with Civic Union and Society for Other Politics to form Unity in 2011.... |
5 September 2006 | Withdrew on 24 May 2007 in favour of Endziņš. |
| Māris Riekstiņš Māris Riekstiņš Māris Riekstiņš is a Latvian politician and diplomat with an extensive experience in the foreign service, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia... |
People's Party People's Party (Latvia) The People's Party was a centre-right political party in Latvia. It described itself as a conservative party.Tautas partija was founded in 1998 by Andris Šķēle, a businessman and former prime minister, who was the chairman of the party until 2002. Because of Šķēle's powerful personality, many... |
27 April 2007 | Withdrew in favour of Zatlers |
| Karina Pētersone Karina Pētersone Karina Pētersone is a Latvian politician. She was the Minister of Culture of Latvia from 26 November 1998 to 7 November 2002. She is now a member of the LPP/LC and a deputy of the 9th Saeima . She began her current term in parliament on 7 November 2006.-External links:*... |
LPP/LC Latvian Way Latvian Way was a centre-right liberal party in Latvia. It merged with Latvia's First Party to form the Latvia's First Party/Latvian Way in 2007.It described itself as "a liberal party defending people's freedom to shape their own lives"... |
12 May 2007 | Withdrew in favour of Zatlers |
| Valdis Zatlers Valdis Zatlers Valdis Zatlers is a Latvian politician and former physician who served as the seventh president of Latvia from 2007 to 2011. He won the Latvian presidential election of 31 May 2007... |
governing coalition (TP People's Party (Latvia) The People's Party was a centre-right political party in Latvia. It described itself as a conservative party.Tautas partija was founded in 1998 by Andris Šķēle, a businessman and former prime minister, who was the chairman of the party until 2002. Because of Šķēle's powerful personality, many... , ZZS Union of Greens and Farmers Union of Greens and Farmers is a green/agrarian and conservative political alliance in Latvia. It consists of two political parties: Latvian Farmers' Union and the Green Party of Latvia . It is the third-largest party in the Saeima.... , LPP/LC Latvian Way Latvian Way was a centre-right liberal party in Latvia. It merged with Latvia's First Party to form the Latvia's First Party/Latvian Way in 2007.It described itself as "a liberal party defending people's freedom to shape their own lives"... , TB/LNNK) |
22 May 2007 | Won election |
| Aivars Endziņš Aivars Endzinš Aivars Endziņš is a Latvian lawyer and politician.He graduated from University of Latvia in 1968, in 1977 he attained candidate of legal sciences degree, but in 1997 he became Doctor of Jurisprudence. He has worked as a lecturer in University of Latvia and, later, in higher school of business... |
Harmony Centre Harmony Centre Harmony Centre is a political alliance in Latvia. It was formed in 2005 and its member parties are the Social Democratic Party "Harmony" and the Socialist Party of Latvia Harmony Centre (abbreviated SC; ) is a political alliance in Latvia. It was formed in 2005 and its member parties are the... |
24 May 2007 | Lost election |
Before the governing coalition had agreed on Zatlers as a candidate, the People's Party
People's Party (Latvia)
The People's Party was a centre-right political party in Latvia. It described itself as a conservative party.Tautas partija was founded in 1998 by Andris Šķēle, a businessman and former prime minister, who was the chairman of the party until 2002. Because of Šķēle's powerful personality, many...
had proposed Māris Riekstiņš
Māris Riekstiņš
Māris Riekstiņš is a Latvian politician and diplomat with an extensive experience in the foreign service, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Latvia...
and LPP/LC
Latvian Way
Latvian Way was a centre-right liberal party in Latvia. It merged with Latvia's First Party to form the Latvia's First Party/Latvian Way in 2007.It described itself as "a liberal party defending people's freedom to shape their own lives"...
had proposed Karina Pētersone
Karina Pētersone
Karina Pētersone is a Latvian politician. She was the Minister of Culture of Latvia from 26 November 1998 to 7 November 2002. She is now a member of the LPP/LC and a deputy of the 9th Saeima . She began her current term in parliament on 7 November 2006.-External links:*...
. They subsequently withdrew their candidacies. Similarly, the New Era Party
New Era Party
The New Era Party , abbreviated to JL, was a centre-right political party in Latvia. Founded in 2002, the party merged with Civic Union and Society for Other Politics to form Unity in 2011....
had proposed Sandra Kalniete
Sandra Kalniete
Sandra Kalniete is a Latvian politician, author, diplomat and independence movement leader. She served as Foreign Minister of Latvia 2002–2004 and as European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries in 2004...
, who withdrew her candidacy after Harmony Centre
Harmony Centre
Harmony Centre is a political alliance in Latvia. It was formed in 2005 and its member parties are the Social Democratic Party "Harmony" and the Socialist Party of Latvia Harmony Centre (abbreviated SC; ) is a political alliance in Latvia. It was formed in 2005 and its member parties are the...
nominated Endziņš. For Human Rights in United Latvia
For Human Rights in United Latvia
For Human Rights in United Latvia is a left-wing political party in Latvia, supported mainly by ethnic Russians and other non-Latvian minorities. Co-chairpersons of its Ruling Board are Tatjana Ždanoka, Jakovs Pliners and Miroslav Mitrofanov....
did not nominate a candidate, it was announced after election that they supported Endziņš.
Public reaction
Although the powers of the President of Latvia are limited and the office is rather symbolic, 6th president Vaira Vīķe-FreibergaVaira Vike-Freiberga
Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga was the sixth President of Latvia, the first female President of Latvia and the first female leader in eastern Europe. She was elected President of Latvia in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.Dr...
, who held office from 1999 to 2007, managed to gain political authority and high popular approval. By Latvian law one cannot be president for more than eight years. Therefore, the previous president could not be re-elected and the election drew significant public attention.
Notably, the New Era Party
New Era Party
The New Era Party , abbreviated to JL, was a centre-right political party in Latvia. Founded in 2002, the party merged with Civic Union and Society for Other Politics to form Unity in 2011....
announced that its candidate would be Sandra Kalniete
Sandra Kalniete
Sandra Kalniete is a Latvian politician, author, diplomat and independence movement leader. She served as Foreign Minister of Latvia 2002–2004 and as European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries in 2004...
, before the Saeima election held in 2006
Latvian parliamentary election, 2006
The most recent elections for the 9th Saeima, the parliament of Latvia, were held on October 7, 2006. There were lists of candidates from 19 political parties...
, and used the slogan "Kalniete for president!" in its parliamentary election campaign. As election day drew nearer, a political battle between the two remaining candidates ensued. Zatlers, who is a doctor, was accused of taking money from his patients, which he admitted. This is connected with a set of problems in Latvia's domestic politics: people employed in health care are considered underpaid; patients often give doctors gifts of gratitude, sometimes in the form of money, and some doctors are accused of extortion
Extortion
Extortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
. Notably, former Health minister Āris Auders had to leave office when one of his patients accused him of fraud. Zatlers was also criticized for lack of experience. Endziņš in turn was criticized for having been a member of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Communist Party of the Soviet Union
The Communist Party of the Soviet Union was the only legal, ruling political party in the Soviet Union and one of the largest communist organizations in the world...
before the independence of Latvia was re-established: this caused even more passionate debate when it was discovered that Endziņš had denied the occupation of Latvia in the 1970s.
Endziņš was the most popular candidate among the general public. An opinion poll showed that Endziņš was supported by 54% of Latvians and Zatlers was supported by 29%.
People at the house of Parliament of Latvia shouted - "Envelopes! Envelopes!" and "Thief! Thief!", when Zatlers came out after elections.
Process and Results
Endziņš' supporters hoped that the public support for his candidacy would sway some of members of the parliament from the ruling coalition to vote for Endziņš. This did not come true. Although one of coalition's MPs, Anna Seile voted for Endziņš and another, Karīna Pētersone, voted against both candidates, this was cancelled out by at least 3 opposition MPs voting for Zatlers, disobeying the decision by their party leaders to support Endziņš. There may be situation that at least 6 coalition MPs voted for Endziņš and more opposition MPs from Harmony CentreHarmony Centre
Harmony Centre is a political alliance in Latvia. It was formed in 2005 and its member parties are the Social Democratic Party "Harmony" and the Socialist Party of Latvia Harmony Centre (abbreviated SC; ) is a political alliance in Latvia. It was formed in 2005 and its member parties are the...
voted for Zatlers.
Valdis Zatlers
Valdis Zatlers
Valdis Zatlers is a Latvian politician and former physician who served as the seventh president of Latvia from 2007 to 2011. He won the Latvian presidential election of 31 May 2007...
was elected president.
| Candidate | For | Against |
|---|---|---|
| Valdis Zatlers Valdis Zatlers Valdis Zatlers is a Latvian politician and former physician who served as the seventh president of Latvia from 2007 to 2011. He won the Latvian presidential election of 31 May 2007... |
58 | 40 |
| Aivars Endziņš Aivars Endzinš Aivars Endziņš is a Latvian lawyer and politician.He graduated from University of Latvia in 1968, in 1977 he attained candidate of legal sciences degree, but in 1997 he became Doctor of Jurisprudence. He has worked as a lecturer in University of Latvia and, later, in higher school of business... |
39 | 59 |