Poll: Government Rated Negatively, but Among the Highest Scores Since 2008
A SKDS poll commissioned by the think tank Providus shows 61% of Latvians were dissatisfied with Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' government in August, yet the rating index is among the highest since 2008. Healthcare was most often named as the top issue for the next parliament.
The performance of Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' government was rated negatively in August, less than a month before the parliamentary (Saeima) elections, but the score was still one of the highest in recent decades. This follows from the study "Public Mandate: Governance Barometer (2026-2029)", based on a poll by the research centre SKDS and commissioned by the policy think tank Providus.
Government rating
In August, 3% of respondents were fully satisfied with the government's work and 28% were rather satisfied. Another 29% were fully dissatisfied and 32% rather dissatisfied. The rating index, on a scale from -100 to 100, stood at -27.8 points. SKDS Latvian barometer data since April 2008 show the index has never been positive, with the lowest reading, -76.9 points, recorded in January 2009 during a deep crisis.
The index was negative in every group analysed. The biggest gap was by language spoken at home: among Latvian speakers 43% were satisfied and 48% dissatisfied, while among Russian speakers the figures were 11% and 82%. Men rated the government more favourably than women, as did people aged 65–75. Lower per-person household income was linked with lower satisfaction.
Priorities for the next Saeima
In a July poll, respondents named in their own words the three most important problems the 15th Saeima should address. Healthcare was cited by 46%, the economy by 28%, education by 25%, national security and defence by 23%, state finances, administration and bureaucracy by 18%, demographics by 17%, and social protection, pensions and benefits by 16%.
Healthcare was the most frequently mentioned priority in 43 of 46 groups analysed. It was named by 60% of women and 32% of men; among men the economy came first (33%). Young people aged 18–24, as well as pupils and students, most often chose security and defence.
About the survey
The priorities poll ran from 16 to 21 July, the government rating poll from 10 to 12 August. Each surveyed 1,005 Latvian residents aged 18 to 75. The initiative is run by Providus with SKDS and the Baltic office of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation. Satisfaction with the government is to be measured quarterly.
