Addressing 150 delegates, Andris Šuvajevs framed the upcoming vote as a choice between two paths: a democratic, pro-EU coalition led by the Progressives, or a populist alliance under Ainārs Šleser. Šuvajevs vowed to protect public media and civil society from populist attacks, stating that his government would never compromise on the rule of law or the Istanbul Convention.
Tackling the Cost of Living Crisis
Economic justice is at the heart of the party’s platform. To support low- and middle-income families, the Progressives propose:
- Social Reform: Replacing complex tax breaks with direct, robust family benefits and indexing the minimum wage to the average salary.
- Energy Security: Responding to price spikes by slashing public transport costs and seeking a Baltic-wide agreement on natural gas supply to lower industrial and household costs.
- Future Industries: Focusing state support on high-value sectors, including renewable energy tech and the defense industry.
Culture as National Defense
Co-chair and Culture Minister Agnese Lāce made a compelling case for culture as a pillar of national security. Drawing parallels with Finland and Ukraine, she argued that protecting national identity and supporting independent media are vital for social cohesion. For the Progressives, a dynamic civil society is the best defense against external disinformation and threats to democratic values.
