Vidzeme (Saeima constituency)

Vidzeme is one of the five electoral districts (Latvian: vēlēšanu apgabals) used in elections to the Saeima, the parliament of Latvia. It is a multi-member constituency, electing a proportion of the 100 members of the Saeima based on the number of registered voters within the region.

Geography and Demographics:

Vidzeme encompasses the historical region of Vidzeme, located in north-central Latvia. It includes the cities of Valmiera and Cēsis, as well as numerous smaller towns and rural areas. The population of the constituency varies, reflecting demographic changes in Latvia.

Electoral System:

Like the other Saeima constituencies (Riga, Latgale, Kurzeme, and Zemgale), Vidzeme elects its representatives using proportional representation with a 5% national threshold for parties to gain representation. Voters cast their ballots for a list of candidates representing a particular political party or coalition. Within each list, voters can also indicate preferences for specific candidates using plus signs (+) or minus signs (-). These preference votes can influence the final order of candidates elected from each list.

Historical Results:

The composition of the Vidzeme constituency in the Saeima changes with each election. Vote shares and the number of seats won by each party fluctuate based on national and regional political trends, voter turnout, and the performance of individual candidates. Information on past election results for Vidzeme can be found on the website of the Central Election Commission of Latvia.

Role and Importance:

The Vidzeme constituency plays a vital role in Latvian politics, providing representation for a significant portion of the country's population. The elected members from Vidzeme contribute to the legislative process and represent the interests of their constituents in the Saeima.