Analytics, Corruption, EU – Baltic States, Internet, Latvia, Legislation, Technology

According to the organization's data, 25 out of 54 candidates from Latvia are exposed to the risk of corruption, and one is considered dangerous because of his attempts to overthrow the government. Twelve are rated as "low-risk"; they are known for poor governance practices and ethical violations in the past.

23 candidates have quit one political party to join another one in the past, three are known for at least one occasion of hate speech, whereas ten have significant debt. Also, it is the existing MEPs who have made the largest donations to their political parties.

Goluba told LETA that, unlike the organization's previous databases, this time no candidate was rated as a "high-risk". "The overall conclusion about the European Parliament candidates is that there are fewer with questionable reputation or significant corruption risks. Nevertheless, voters now have food for thought," she commented.

She also said that work on the database began this past February, using LETA archives and information published in the mass media, as well as various public databases.

The goal of the organization's campaign "What's Sown in Brussels will be Reaped in Latvia" is to make the people aware that European Parliament members are elected for a period of five years, and the decisions they make in Brussels or Strasbourg will have an effect on everyday lives in Latvia for many years to come, emphasized TI-L Director Gundars Jankovs.

The latest database is available on the kandidatiuzdelnas.lv website, its English version will be launched at the beginning of May.