MMN candidate Ē. Pucens pledges to reform election rules and protect private property
Kuldīga municipal councillor and We Change the Rules (MMN) party candidate Ēriks Pucens is running for the 15th Saeima, promising electoral reform and stronger private property protections. He also detailed his political and business background.
Entrepreneur and Kuldīga municipal council member Ēriks Pucens, running for the We Change the Rules (MMN) party, holds the top spot on its list for the 15th Saeima elections. Pucens previously served in the 13th Saeima and says all nine of the party's candidates in the Kurzeme constituency are industry experts genuinely connected to the region.
He describes himself as a longtime political "rebel" who advocates for greater regional representation in decision-making. The party's central proposal is to change the electoral system so voters choose individual candidates rather than party lists, allowing citizens to hold specific elected officials directly accountable. Pucens cites preliminary polling from the SKDS research center suggesting rising support for the party, despite it currently polling below the mandatory 5% threshold.
Key priorities
If elected, Pucens says his priorities would be reforming the electoral system, protecting private property rights, and reducing bureaucracy. He criticizes state interference in the private sector, citing wind park development and high-voltage line construction as examples, along with what he calls over-regulated forestry.
The party also supports abolishing state funding for political parties, redirecting those funds toward boosting birth rates. Pucens says he personally funds his own party as a donor within the limits of conflict-of-interest laws. On economic policy, MMN proposes restoring the micro-enterprise tax rate to 10% for turnover up to 50,000 euros to help reduce the shadow economy.
Pucens also claims he has experienced censorship, citing an instance where he says Latvian Television edited his remarks on abolishing the mandatory electricity purchase component (OIK), altering their meaning.
Colleagues' assessment
Fellow Kuldīga council members describe Pucens as active and inquisitive. Councillor Baiba Mikāla praises his kindness and interesting ideas, while Raits Valters highlights his activity in opposition as a businessman and practitioner. The head of Kurmāle parish noted successful cooperation on municipal projects.
Born in 1986, Pucens trained as a chef, has run the Kalna Rinkas farm since 2013, and has belonged to several parties — KPV LV, Republika, and now MMN. He owns real estate in Kuldīga and Priedaine, along with several vehicles and equipment.
