On 18 July Latvian boxer Mairis Briedis made an announcement on his Instagram page that he plans to enter the political arena and that in the upcoming 14th Saeima elections in Latvia he will run as a candidate with Harmony political party.
Commenting on his decision to enter politics, the boxer said this is the most important decision in his life. As for the choice of political party to join, Briedis said this party «dedicates its efforts to reduce the split in society».
«I am confident, and recent events indicate, that the split in society is the biggest problem, and I would even say the biggest disaster in Latvia. Our residents are divided both socially and ethnically.»
BNN has observed that the boxer’s official announcement on joining politics caused a variety of reactions and discussions, especially on Twitter.
Some users said the anxiously await and hope the boxer to participate in pre-election discussions. Others defend Briedis’ decision to enter politics:
Tagad nevaru sagaidīt kad Briedi uzaicinās uz @KNL_LTV1 priekšvēlēšanu debatēm.
— Kaspars Škinčs (@kasparsskincs) July 18, 2022
Another Twitter user invited voters to go and participate in Saeima elections and make sure the boxer is not elected.
Lūdzu, lūdzu, rudenī aizejam nobalsot un izdaram visu, lai šis cilvēks netiktu nākamajā Saeimā!!! ?? pic.twitter.com/0w0BF844p6
— ed.brady ???? (@briedijs) July 18, 2022
Latvia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs pointed out Mairis Briedis’ neutral stance on the Russian-Ukrainian war:
Brāļi Kļičko: “Lielākā kļūda ir domāt, ka karš Ukrainā neskar visus”
Mairis Briedis: “Nenostāšos nevienā pusē”
Sports. Politika. Divi Pasaules
— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) July 18, 2022
Latvian basketball legend Valdis Valters, meanwhile, comments on the possible pre-election programme of the emerging politician:
Mairis Briedis ir nolēmis startēt Saeimas vēlēšanās no Saskaņas saraksta.Kā Jūs domājat,kāda viņam būs priekšvēlēšanas programma? pic.twitter.com/cPqyL1W5CM
— Ģenerālis (@generalis_co) July 18, 2022
As previously reported, Briedis does not have a clear position on Russian-Ukrainian war and the crimes Russian forces are accused of. He did condemn the war, but also said he will not take sides. This caused many in Latvia to express shock and antipathy towards the boxer.
Latvian professional fighting sports team TM Fighting has terminated partnership with Briedis due to his neutral position.
«Due to our unacceptable position on the invading of occupants in Ukraine, Mairis Briedis is excluded from the TM Fighting Team ranks. As a patriotic organization, we want to distance ourselves from people who presumably show support for Russian aggression. Such people have no place in the team whose core principles are patriotism and loyalty to their country,» TM Fighting’s Facebook announcement stated.
Read also: World-famous Latvian boxer expelled from TM Fighting Team for views on war in Ukraine