New Unity
The New Unity (Latvian: Jaunā Vienotība, JV) is a centre-right political alliance in Latvia.[1][2] Its members are Unity and four other regional parties, and it is orientated towards liberal-conservatism[3] and liberalism.[4]
Ideology[edit]
Economy[edit]
The party programme favours a market-driven economy aimed at stable economic growth, eventually achieving levels of welfare comparable to those of neighbouring Baltic states.
The party’s platform includes tackling corruption, minimising the role of the shadow economy, implementing a progressive tax system and pursuing environmentally sustainable economic growth.[19]
International relations[edit]
New Unity sees Latvia’s future as part of the Northern European geopolitical space and advocates for greater EU and NATO integration. It supported Latvia’s accession to these two alliances and strongly favours the country’s continued membership within them.[20]
The party is critical of Russia’s geopolitical role and sees the worsening of Russia–European Union relations primarily as a consequence of Russian aggression towards former Soviet bloc countries and its irredentist claims. It has been strongly critical of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, implementing sanctions against Russia and calling for increased arms shipments and financial aid to Ukraine.[21]
On Middle Eastern issues, New Unity favours a peaceful resolution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and advocates for a two-state solution contingent on continued Arab–Israeli normalization.[22]
National identity[edit]
New Unity takes a civic nationalist stance towards the integration of Latvia’s Russian-speaking minority, aiming to limit the role of the Russian language in local education programmes and state-funded news broadcasting.[23]
Simultaneously, the party is not opposed to the existence of linguistic minorities and does not favour forced cultural assimilation, instead calling for minorities to embrace the Latvian language and culture while being able to retain their personal culture and heritage if they so desire.
While addressing the nation following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, former Prime Minister of Latvia and New Unity party leader Krišjānis Kariņš stressed the need to separate Latvia’s Russian minority from Russia, claiming that they are, first and foremost, Latvian, regardless of native language or ethnicity.[24]
Social issues[edit]
The party has historically taken conservative stances on social and LGBT issues, before changing course following the 2018 Latvian parliamentary election when they announced their support for same-sex civil unions and the ratification of the Istanbul Convention.[25]
While New Unity does not have an official party position on same-sex marriage, former party leader Arvils Ašeradens stated in a 2023 interview that he supports marriage equality so long as civil unions are legalised first. Additionally, Riga mayor Vilnis Ķirsis, a member of New Unity, marched at the 2023 Riga Pride parade, which endorsed the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Latvia.[26]
On women’s issues, the party takes a liberal stance towards abortion, favouring abortion access on demand up to 12 weeks for any reason and up to 22 weeks for medical reasons.[27]
New Unity is supportive of increasing women’s representation in the workforce and local government. Upon being elected Prime Minister of Latvia in September 2023, party member Evika Siliņa announced that she will do everything in her power to ensure women’s equality in society and before the law, including introducing legislation to combat domestic violence.[28]