Unity party board resigns after election setback

The board of Unity (JV), a governing party in Latvia, has resigned following its poor result in the 15th Saeima (parliament) election. Siliņa, a member of the board, announced this in a video message. New leaders will be chosen at the party congress on 28 November.

In the election, the party won seven seats in parliament. In the 14th Saeima election it had won 26 seats.

Acknowledging the voters' signal

Siliņa described the result as a "yellow card" from voters and stressed that it must not be ignored. In her words, the party has its own vision for Latvia's future and has accomplished a great deal, but the outcome requires an honest assessment of both its decisions and the way it communicates with people.

She said the party has to change: speak more often, more directly and more simply, meet people more, listen, and answer uncomfortable questions too. Through videos she wants to build a more open conversation with the public and learn what people expect from the party.

What comes next

Before the congress, the party wants to hear from young people and new members about their ideas for change. On Monday it is also awaiting an announcement from the "United List" about next steps and talks with the current coalition partners.

The outgoing board

The board chairman was Edmunds Jurēvics, head of the party's parliamentary group. The board also included sitting MPs Arvils Ašeradens, Raimonds Čudars, Mārtiņš Felss, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Agnese Krasta, Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, Dace Melbārde, Vilnis Ķirsis, Edgars Ikstens and Jānis Upenieks, as well as Transport Minister Rihards Kozlovskis and Cēsis mayor Jānis Rozenbergs.