Šuvajevs pleased with Progressives' election result, but worried about human rights in new Saeima
Progressives party board chairman Andris Šuvajevs said he is satisfied his party secured enough voter support to enter the 15th Saeima, while voicing concern that the new parliament could reverse progress on human rights, including the Istanbul Convention.
Andris Šuvajevs, chairman of the board of the Progressives party, said in a Sunday, October 4, interview with Latvian Television that he is satisfied with the level of voter support his party received, which secured its place in the 15th Saeima.
At the same time, Šuvajevs expressed concern about the direction the newly elected Saeima might take on human rights issues. He said there is a risk that lawmakers could move backward rather than forward, undoing progress made on human rights protections in recent years.
As one specific concern, Šuvajevs pointed to the possibility that the 15th Saeima could move to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, an international treaty aimed at preventing domestic violence and regulating related matters concerning partnerships.
The Progressives representative said he hopes the human rights field will not see a regression, but acknowledged that the post-election situation leaves uncertainty about the political course the new parliament will take on this issue.
