In the Leadup to the upcoming European Parliament elections, LNAK invites you to three informational seminars on April 6, April 27, and May 4.

The goal of the seminars is to help Latvian citizens living in Canada to be well-informed voters. The seminars will be delivered by Andris Gobiņš, President of the European Movement – Latvia, to help Latvians in Canada become well-informed voters. The European Movement – Latvia is a non-governmental organisation that promotes Latvia’s interests in the European Union and raises awareness about Europe in Latvia. These seminars will introduce you to the purpose and functioning of the European Parliament, the lists of candidates, and the electoral process.

All Latvian citizens are also European citizens, and developments in the European Parliament have a significant impact on Latvia. Latvian citizens living in Canada have the right to vote in these elections and help elect pro-Latvian MPs.

The workshops will cover the following topics:

Saturday, April 6 11:30 ET “Why the European Union is important for Latvia and Why you should Vote”

Saturday, April 27 11:30 ET “The Political Landscape and Personalities of the European Union”

Saturday, May 4 14:00 ET “Parties and Candidates; The Voting Process”

All workshops will be held online on Zoom. The first seminar on April 6 will be held as part of the LNAK Annual General Meeting – you can attend at the Latvian Centre in Toronto or watch from home. We invite you to gather in your local Latvian communities to watch and discuss Andris Gobiņš’s seminars in other centres across Canada.

Latvia’s admission to the European Union in 2004 was one of the most significant milestones since the restoration of independence in 1991. It also gave Latvian citizens the opportunity to vote in the European Parliament elections and to send their MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) to Brussels. European Parliament elections are held every five years and will be held again this year.

The European Union is one of the biggest guarantors of Latvia’s stability and prosperity – it is important that Latvia is represented in Brussels by MEPs who are loyal to Latvia. This is especially important this year, given the war that Russia is waging in Ukraine. All Latvian citizens who have reached the age of 18 are eligible to vote in the European Parliament elections, regardless of where they live. You can vote by post or in person on June 8 at the planned polling stations in Ottawa and Toronto. All are warmly welcome at these free seminars!

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