Santa Claus shows up to vote in Saeima elections in Liepāja

On the day of the 15th Saeima parliamentary elections, one of the most memorable sights in Liepāja was an 80-year-old local resident who turned up to cast his ballot dressed in a full Santa Claus costume — complete with a red suit, beard and hat.

According to the news portal "liepajniekiem.lv" and photos circulated on Facebook, the man appeared in this festive outfit at the polling station set up in the Liepāja Latvian Society House. Asked about his unusual choice of clothing, he explained simply that he dressed this way because, to him, the day felt like a holiday.

A festive mood at the polling station

Benita Šēniņa, head of the Liepāja election commission, said that voters have been turning out actively at the Latvian Society House this year and that many clearly treat the day as a kind of celebration. A red carpet has been laid out in front of the building to add to the festive atmosphere, and a seasonal fair is taking place near one of the polling stations at the same time.

Voter turnout figures compiled by the Central Election Commission reflect this enthusiasm: by midday Saturday, nearly 12,000 people in Liepāja had already voted, representing just over a quarter of the city's registered voters.

The appearance of "Santa Claus" at the polls has become a lighthearted symbol of how residents in Liepāja approached this election day — fulfilling their civic duty while embracing a sense of celebration and good humor.