May 4th Declaration Club urges Latvians to vote in October 3 elections

The board of the May 4th Declaration Club has published a statement calling on Latvia's residents to actively participate in the upcoming October 3 elections. The statement coincides with the 35th anniversary of the May 4, 1990 Declaration on the Restoration of Independence.

Looking back to 1990

The board recalls that Latvia's return to the community of free and democratic nations became possible thanks to the May 4, 1990 declaration and the August 21, 1991 constitutional law on the change of state status. A key role was also played by the then Supreme Council, which operated under occupation, as well as by the nonviolent resistance movement and societal unity. The statement notes that the occupying army and other opponents of Latvia openly took part in the elections to that Supreme Council, yet the decisive factor proved to be the unusually high voter turnout among independence supporters — a level that has not been matched since.

Parallels with today

The board states that, similarly to 35 years ago, the current electoral process also involves forces unfavorable to Latvia's independence — those hoping for a return of occupation, homegrown traitors, and populists. It asserts that these forces are being used by Moscow, which it describes as being in a dire situation due to its war against Ukraine.

Call to vote

The club's board urges residents to go vote on October 3 to defend freedom, stressing that responsible participation in elections could determine the future of both Latvia and Europe. The statement's authors are the board of the May 4th Declaration Club.