Voting begins in Latvian parliamentary elections

Voting began in Latvia Saturday for the first parliamentary elections since the Baltic state joined the European Union (EU), and only the ninth since the republic was founded in 1918.

Nineteen parties fielding a total of 1,024 candidates are contesting the election. Under Latvia's electoral system, those which poll more than five percent of the votes cast will enter parliament.

Recent opinion polls have predicted a victory for the centre-right parties, which make up Latvia's current minority government.

But with less than five percent separating the top five parties in the latest polls, 15 percent of voters undecided, and up to eight parties likely to enter the 100-seat parliament, analysts say that surprises could still be in store.

The Soviet Union occupied the country after World War Two, ushering in 50 years of totalitarian dictatorship. Latvia declared the renewal of its independence in 1991 and has held four elections since then.

Latvia has enjoyed an economic boom since joining the EU and NATO in 2004, with GDP growth in the first half of this year hitting 12 percent.

--DPA

(IANS)

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