Latvian parties have already spent over €2 million on election campaigning

Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) reports that between June 6, when the official pre-election campaigning period began, and September 8, political organizations have signed contracts for capped campaign expenses totaling €2,115,247.

KNAB explains that all 14 political organizations whose representatives are running in the election face a spending cap covering political advertising placement, charity, sponsorship, benefits and gifts. The maximum amount each organization may spend under this cap is €1,039,582.32.

Top spenders so far

The party alliance "Apvienotais saraksts" has declared the highest spending to date, €401,800, mostly directed toward outdoor advertising. The Greens and Farmers Union follows with €333,249, spent mainly on outdoor and radio advertising.

The party "Latvia First" has spent €322,123, also largely on outdoor advertising. "New Unity" spent €237,655 on outdoor, radio, print and online advertising, while the National Alliance spent just under €200,000, also primarily on outdoor advertising.

"For Latvia's Development" spent €184,659, most of it on television advertising, while "The Progressives" spent €149,343, mainly on outdoor advertising.

What counts toward the cap

KNAB notes that campaign expenses must include both an organization's overall spending and the individual spending of its candidates. The cap does not apply to costs such as producing advertisements, designing ads, consulting services and similar items.

People not affiliated with political parties may spend no more than €11,700 on campaigning for or against parties and candidates, a limit covering advertising placement, charity, sponsorship, benefits, gifts and postal services. So far no unaffiliated person has declared any capped campaign spending.

KNAB reminds advertising service providers and campaigners that they are required to report all signed advertising contracts to the bureau within three days of signing. It also notes that at the time information is submitted, the services in question may not yet have been delivered or paid for, and parties may update the submitted figures up until election day.