The results, announced by the electoral commission soon after the closing of the polls, saw the Russophone-friendly, centre-left party Harmony once again in first place, with 23 per cent of the vote and 24 of the 100 seats in the Saeima (the Latvian parliament). The parliamentary elections that took place in Latvia on 4 October did not hold many surprises and are likely to return the incumbent governing coalition to power. The steady fall in turnout experienced in recent elections also suggests that despite backing the ruling parties, Latvian citizens are far from content with the status quo. Licia Cianettiwrites that while the elections saw Harmony – the centre-left party representing the country’s Russian-speaking minority – win the most seats, the results will most likely see the incumbent government led by the centre-right Unity party continue in power.

Population with a disability: 298,006 (2018 est.Latvia held parliamentary elections on 4 October.

Has Latvia ratified CRPD: Yes (1 March 2010).

Is Latvia a signatory to CRPD: Yes (18 July 2008).

Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) Ranking: Low (2014).

Human Development Index (HDI) Position: 44 (2016).

Number of Female Legislators: 16 (16%) of 100 seats in the Parliament (2018).

Female Candidates in this election: N/A.Has Latvia ratified CEDAW: Yes (14 April 1992).Is Latvia a signatory to CEDAW: Yes (since 1992).Population and number of registered voters: * There are 16 parties registered for the election. Alliance: Latvian Association of Regions / Latvijas Reģionu apvienība.

Party: From the Heart for Latvia / No Sirds Latvijai.Party: The New Conservative Party / Jaunā Konservatīvā partija (JKP).Alliance: For Development / For! / Attīstībai/Par!.Party: Who Owns the State / Kam Pieder Valsts (KPV LV).Alliance: Union of Greens and Farmers / Zaļo un Zemnieku Savienība ( ZZS).Party: National Alliance / acionālā apvienība „Visu Latvijai!” – „Tēvzemei un Brīvībai ( LNNK).A threshold of 5% is required in order for a party to enter the parliament. Distribution of seats among them is based on the Saint-Lagüe method. Those candidates with the highest totals are declared elected, up to the number of seats allotted to each list. The vote for each candidate is equal to the number of votes cast for the list, plus or minus specific votes. They may do this by both placing a '+' by the names of candidates they want to move up the list order, and by crossing out names that they would like to see be moved down the list order. Electors can accept the list order as presented or alter the list order to their preference. Each party ballot contains a list of candidates predetermined by the party. When finished voting, electors place the ballot of their choice in an envelope to be deposited in the ballot box. ***Every party has a separate ballot and electors are given as many ballots as there are parties contesting the race. In the Parliament ( Saeima) 100 members are elected by proportional representation from party lists by popular vote to serve 4-year terms*.Prime Minister is nominated by the president with the approval of the parliament.The President is elected by parliament to serve a 4-year term.Assembly: Latvia has a unicameral Parliament ( Saeima) with 100 seats.Head of Government: Prime Minister Maris KUCINSKIS.Chief of State: President Raimonds VEJONIS.100 seats in the Latvian Parliament ( Saeima).

No sirds latvijai