Šlesers' "Latvia First" Party — Already His Eighth Political Project

On August 16, 2021, while Covid-19 pandemic restrictions were still in force in Latvia, a new party called "Latvia First" (LPV) was officially registered. Its founding was accompanied by bold statements, including talk of a readiness to "peacefully take power in the country."

With this party, businessman Ainārs Šlesers returned to politics after roughly a decade away from active political life. LPV became already the eighth political project associated with Šlesers since his political career began.

A Return Under Unusual Circumstances

Šlesers' comeback took place at a complicated moment, as pandemic-related restrictions were still shaping public and political life in the country. Despite this, the new party was launched with confident rhetoric, emphasizing ambitions for significant change in state governance.

The fact that LPV represents Šlesers' eighth political venture points to a long and shifting political career, marked by repeated changes of platforms and party names. This pattern reflects a broader phenomenon in Latvian politics, where certain politicians repeatedly establish new parties rather than sticking with a single long-term structure.

The founding of the party and its subsequent activity has drawn attention from political analysts assessing how such repeated political projects affect voter trust and the overall stability of Latvia's party system.