The World Federation of Free Latvians (PBLA) leadership thanks the European Parliament polling station managers outside Latvia

The leadership of the World Association of Free Latvians has sent an open letter of thanks to the heads of the 12 polling stations and members of the commission established on the initiative of the diaspora, expressing appreciation and gratitude for their work in organizing the European Parliamentary elections abroad on 8 June this year. June.
“I am writing to express my personal gratitude to all of you and the appreciation of the Board of the World Federation of Free Latvians for your work on 8 June this year in successfully completing the European Parliament elections! Thank you for responding to the calls of the WFWA and its member organisations to be civically active and not only participate in the elections, but also to form your own polling stations,” said WFWA President Pēteris Blumbergs in his letter.

Thanks to the initiative of local community leaders, the Central Election Commission of Latvia approved 12 precincts, along with precincts in Latvian embassies and diplomatic missions around the world, established at the initiative of diaspora public figures. “Latvia is the only country in the world whose legislation allows for the establishment of additional constituencies at the initiative of the diaspora and we were happy to take advantage of this opportunity,” writes Mārīte Kļaviņa, Vice-President of PBLA.

In total, three districts were established in the USA – New York, Chicago and Los Angeles; two districts in the United Kingdom – Bradford andSwansea (Whales); in Australia – Adelaide; in Canada – Toronto; in Norway – Bergen; and in Germany – four districts – Münster, Freiburg, Frankfurt am Main and Munich.

As you will recall, PBLA called on compatriots around the world to participate in these elections and to vote to support Latvia in its work in the European Union (EU) institutions in these geopolitically challenging times. PBLA believes that we in the diaspora must help elect politicians who are committed to the European course of support for Ukraine and its path towards the European Union. Latvia should not send politicians to Brussels whose loyalty to Latvia and the democratic principles of the West is questionable, the letter says.

PBLA leaders stress that the organization of polling stations has succeeded in achieving the planned goal of increasing the number of voters and activating society: the number of voters in several polling stations has doubled compared to 2019.

“With the help of diaspora activists, precincts were set up around the world – from Adelaide to Los Angeles, on to Chicago, Washington, the UK and Norway. In Germany, there were four polling stations set up by the diaspora,” said the PBLA President, expressing his belief that the joint efforts will enable the Latvian community outside Latvia to be better prepared for the 15th parliamentary elections in 2026!