Latvians have shelved their euroscepticism

Latvia’s president Valdis Zatlers is enthusiastic about the European Union and regrets that it is so difficult to get his countrymen up excited about the European elections. But he also sees a bright side – the fact they don't discuss it much must mean that Latvians are satisfied with the EU.

Are Latvians discussing national or European topics in the run-up to the elections?

Valdis Zatlers: "The European elections are taking place at the same time as our local elections, so the electorate is concentrating on a local agenda. There's not too much discussion about the European elections. They've been overshadowed by local disputes that are quite heated in some places as a result of the severe economic crisis. But this also shows that the Latvians are not nearly as eurosceptic as during previous European elections.

"We can expect people to call for savings on salaries and other costs within the EU because the public and private sector in Latvia are experiencing a major drop in salaries during this economic crisis."

Is there a debate in Latvia as to whether one of the key issues in European politics – the market ideology - should be changed, defended or strengthened?

"The first answer from Latvians is 'less regulation'. They are against local and European protectionism and want the most economic flexibility possible. There is no opposition to the market economy, apart from isolated groups. Centralised power is something that people have lived with for too long in under the Soviet Union."

Another central issue is euroscepticism. Has support for the EU changed in your country and are there popular protests against Brussels?

"There are eurosceptics who do make noise sometimes, but in general people feel safe with the European Union... People accept regulation, but they do react against local civil servants who over-regulate using the European Union as a scapegoat. There is, however, a demand for greater transparency and more down-to-earth language."

How would the Latvian electorate like to see the European Union develop?

"The politicians want clear decisions that are put out for public debate. Citizens want clear criteria and certainty about their own future. They are strongly against any devolution of sovereignty, but after five years of EU membership they don't feel that that is happening."

Do they support the Lisbon Treaty?

"On this issue there is a fear of a devolution of sovereignty. Latvians are particularly wary as to whether a common foreign policy can respect our interests, whether the European Union can speak to Russia with one voice and create a common energy policy. There was satisfaction last year when there was a consensus about the war in Georgia. Consensus makes the Latvians trust the EU. Support for a common foreign policy is mainly in relation to Russia and because people feel that quicker and better decisions can be taken than through individual foreign policies. This is a key issue for people, for if we want to expand Europe's global role we must develop common and multilateral foreign policies that complement each other. But this is difficult when there is a lack of consensus on key problems."

Do the Latvians support a stronger European central bank?

"I think they feel it is strong enough. People are focused predominantly on our own transition to the euro. The mixture of the euro and the lat gives major problems to the population."

Can you give us an anecdote that reflects the atmosphere in Latvia in the run-up to the European elections?

"We have no jokes about the EU. About some countries, yes, but none about Europe yet. People are too serious in their attitudes to the EU. But the answer I got from several schools to my question as to where pupils felt they belonged, says everything. Almost all of them answered first 'my city', then Latvia, then the Baltic area, and Europe came fourth. I think this is somewhat typical for our young people – that they feel they are Balts and then Europeans, in that order."