Latvia’s political parties are far from unanimous on how much funding should be allocated to national defence, according to a study commissioned by the European Latvian Association (ELA) examining parties’ election platforms from the perspective of diaspora interests.
The study was conducted by historian and researcher Kārlis Sils, who holds a doctorate in history. He concluded that national defence is one of the most extensively addressed issues in the parties’ election programmes.
Sils found that five candidate lists – the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS), the National Alliance (NA), New Unity (JV), For Latvia’s Development (LA) and the Progressives – have included a firm commitment in their programmes to maintain defence spending at 5% of gross domestic product (GDP).
However, the author of the study points out that on the 26th of March 2026 the Saeima had already approved amendments to the National Defence Financing Law providing for at least 5% of GDP to be allocated to defence.
“Therefore, including this point should be regarded as reaffirming support for the legislation
rather than as a proposal to significantly increase defence spending,” Sils emphasised.
He also notes that the United List (AS) and Latvia First (LPV) voted in favour of the amendments. According to Sils, the fact that most other programmes do not explicitly mention the 5% target does not in itself indicate that those candidate lists intend to change the law.
However, the study also concludes that there is no complete consensus on the issue.
Two candidate lists have programmes that suggest an intention to change the existing approach.
In Sils’ view,
Sovereign Power/Young Latvians (SV/AJ) proposes a retreat from the 5% commitment “in a veiled form”.
The alliance calls for the defence budget to be “redistributed to guarantee internal security and infrastructure, providing additional funding for healthcare and rescue services”.
Meanwhile, Stability!, which devotes relatively little attention to national defence issues, pledges in its programme to “ensure that state budget funds are primarily directed towards the needs of Latvia’s residents”.
Sils found that the party identifies healthcare, education, social protection and infrastructure development as the needs of residents. Only the last of these priorities could, in certain cases, fall within the defence budget.
Because Stability! also wants to create a balanced state budget without relying on loans or borrowing while significantly reducing taxes, the study concludes that the most realistic way for the party to fulfil at least some of its promises would be to substantially reduce defence spending.
The author also highlights several other points in the party’s programme which, in his assessment, indicate that strengthening Latvia’s military capabilities is not a priority for Stability!.
Instead, the party relies on “restoring the country’s neutrality
and refraining from participation in military conflicts between other countries”.
First, Stability! promises to “abolish compulsory State Defence Service”. Second, the party wants to merge the Ministry of Defence with the Ministry of the Interior.
Similar proposals appear in the programmes of two other political forces.
For example, SV/AJ proposes to “abolish the compulsory conscription of young people into the State Defence Service (VAD)”.
Latvia First, meanwhile, promises to “merge the Ministries of the Interior and Defence in order to guarantee national security and introduce a unified remuneration system for military personnel, police officers, firefighters and rescuers. Employees of the security services will receive decent pay for their work”.
References to the State Defence Service can also be found in several other candidate lists’ programmes, although in these cases the parties propose strengthening or modifying the system rather than abolishing it.
Harmony Centre (SC) promises to “increase remuneration for State Defence Service participants:
500 euros for conscripts and 800 euros for volunteers”. The party also proposes allowing some VAD participants to complete their service in municipal police forces or civil protection structures.
Sils notes that several other candidate lists make similar proposals.
The National Alliance promises to expand support for citizens serving in the National Armed Forces (NBS), the National Guard and the State Defence Service, both financially and through career guarantees.
The United List has pledged to expand the State Defence Service by offering additional service tracks required for comprehensive national defence.
For Latvia’s Development promises to expand the State Defence Service and encourage as many people as possible to serve by offering specialisations such as soldier, cybersecurity specialist, medical support or logistics support.
At the same time, the party wants to introduce a system of incentives, including higher allowances, tax relief and advantages when seeking employment in the public sector.
The New Conservative Party (JKP) wants to “improve the State Defence Service
and the National Guard by adapting them to the requirements of modern warfare”.
Sils also found that, with the exception of SV/AJ and Stability!, the programmes of the other 12 candidate lists differ mostly in nuanced and often relatively minor ways.
Alongside the State Defence Service, three other popular themes recur in the parties’ programmes.
Drone warfare and air defence are addressed by We Are Changing the Rules (MMN), Harmony Centre, ZZS, the National Alliance, Gobzems’ List, the United List, Latvia First, New Unity, the New Conservative Party, For Latvia’s Development and Rising Sun for Latvia.
The development of the military industry is addressed by Gobzems’ List, the United List, New Unity, the New Conservative Party, For Latvia’s Development and the Progressives.
Cybersecurity, meanwhile, features in the programmes of Harmony Centre, Gobzems’ List and For Latvia’s Development.
The Saeima election is scheduled for the 3rd of October.
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