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1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties?	CodeYes Comment Only citizens and persons who have the right to receive an Aliens passport of the Republic of Latvia are allowed to make donations for political parties. Section 4. Gifts (Donations) (1) In accordance with the restrictions referred to in Section 6 of this Law, political organisations (parties) may accept gifts (donations) from: 1) Latvian citizens; 2) persons who in accordance with law have the right to receive an Aliens passport of the Republic of Latvia; Source Article 4, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?	CodeYes Comment All financial activities by a candidate are considered as financial activities of his/her respective nominating political party. 8.4 (4.1) If a separate candidate has performed individual pre-election canvassing campaign, then the funds spent on this campaign shall be included in the pre-election expenses of the political organisation (party) from whose submitted list of candidates this person is standing in the relevant elections. Source 8.4 (4.1) Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?	CodeYes Comment All donations from legal persons are banned. Source Article 4, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?	CodeYes Comment All donations from legal persons are banned. All financial activities by a candidate are considered as financial activities of his/her respective nominating political party. Source Article 4, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?	CodeYes Comment All donations from legal persons are banned. Source Article 4, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates?	CodeYes Comment All financial activities by a candidate are considered as financial activities of his/her respective nominating political party. Source
7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties?	CodeYes CommentSection 7. Prohibition on Anonymous Gifts (Donations) (1) Financing of political organisations (parties) in the form of anonymous gifts (donations) is prohibited. SourceArticle 7.1, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?	CodeYes Comment All financial activities by a candidate are considered as financial activities of his/her respective nominating political party. Source
9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?	CodeYes Comment Section 33. (2) Within the meaning of this Section the use of administrative resources shall be considered use of financial resources, movable and immovable property or provision of services of a State authority and an authority of derived public persons and capital companies, in which the capital shares (stocks) belong to the State or derived public persons, as well as of the capital companies, in which capital shares (stocks) owned by one or more State capital companies or capital companies of derived public persons individually or in aggregate exceed 50 per cent, for conduction of pre-election campaign, as well as advertising of these authorities for payment within the period of 30 days before the elections, if the relevant advertisement with regard to its content is related to reflecting of a deputy candidate, political party, association of political parties, as well as candidates for the post of the Prime Minister or a Minister nominated by a administrative bodies of a political party or association political parties, or reflecting a person related to a political party or an association of political parties or reflecting of activities by such a candidate or person. Source Section 33. (2) Pre-election Campaign Law, the amended version of law 16.06.2016 in force from 15.07.2016, OP numurs: 2012/199.2
10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?	CodeYes Comment All financial activities by a candidate are considered as financial activities of his/her respective nominating political party. Section 8.4. Restrictions on Pre-election expenses stipulate: (4.1) In case if a candidate performs an individual pre-election campaign, all expenditures of this campaign are considered as expenditures of a respective political party's pre-election expenditures from which list he/she participates in an elections. Source Section 8.4. Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties?	CodeYes Comment Section 33. (2) Within the meaning of this Section the use of administrative resources shall be considered use of financial resources, movable and immovable property or provision of services of a State authority and an authority of derived public persons and capital companies, in which the capital shares (stocks) belong to the State or derived public persons, as well as of the capital companies, in which capital shares (stocks) owned by one or more State capital companies or capital companies of derived public persons individually or in aggregate exceed 50 per cent, for conduction of pre-election campaign, as well as advertising of these authorities for payment within the period of 30 days before the elections, if the relevant advertisement with regard to its content is related to reflecting of a deputy candidate, political party, association of political parties, as well as candidates for the post of the Prime Minister or a Minister nominated by a administrative bodies of a political party or association political parties, or reflecting a person related to a political party or an association of political parties or reflecting of activities by such a candidate or person. Source Section 33. (2) Pre-election Campaign Law, the amended version of law 16.06.2016 in force from 15.07.2016, OP numurs: 2012/199.2
12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates?	CodeYes Comment All financial activities by a candidate are considered as financial activities of his/her respective nominating political party. Section 8.4. Restrictions on Pre-election expenses stipulate: (4.1) In case if a candidate performs an individual pre-election campaign, all expenditures of this campaign are considered as expenditures of a respective political party's pre-election expenditures from which list he/she participates in an elections. Source Section 8.4. Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate?	CodeYes Comment Section 33. (1) Use of administrative resources in pre -election campaign is prohibited. Source Section 33. (1) Pre-election Campaign Law, the amended version of law 16.06.2016 in force from 15.07.2016, OP numurs: 2012/199.2
14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period?	CodeYes, for natural persons Comment (2) A natural person is allowed to make a gift (a donation) to one political organisation (a party) for the sum not exceeding the amount of 50 minimum monthly salaries over a period of one calendar year. Source Article 4.2, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
15. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period, what is the limit?	Code Not exceeding the amount of 50 minimum monthly salaries over a period of one calendar year. Comment 4.(2) A natural person is allowed to make a gift (a donation) to one political organisation (a party) for the sum not exceeding the amount of 50 minimum monthly salaries over a period of one calendar year. Source Article 4.2, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election?	CodeYes, for natural persons Comment All donations from legal persons are banned. Regular limit applies. According to the law to one political party a natural person is allowed to make a gift (a donation) not exceeding 50 minimum monthly salaries over a period of one calendar year. The law does not specify that a donations must be made in relations to an election. Source Article 4.2, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
17. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election, what is the limit?	Code Not exceeding the amount of 50 minimum monthly salaries over a period of one calendar year. Comment Regular limit applies. According to the law to one political party a natural person is allowed to make a gift (a donation) not exceeding 50 minimum monthly salaries over a period of one calendar year. The law does not specify that a donations must be made in relations to an election or not. Source Article 4.2, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate?	CodeNo Comment The law permits donations only to political parties and not to candidates. Source Article 4, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit?	CodeNot applicable Comment All financial activities by a candidate are considered as financial activities of his/her respective nominating political party. Source
20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign?	CodeNo data Comment BLANK Source
21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties?	CodeYes Comment 4.(2) A natural person is allowed to make a gift (a donation) to one political organisation (a party) for the sum not exceeding the amount of 50 minimum monthly salaries over a period of one calendar year. 2.(2) Within the meaning of this Law, a gift (donation) is any financial or other types of gratis benefits including services, transfer of rights, release of a political organisation (party) from an obligation, refusal from any right in favour of a political organisation (party), as well as other activities by which any benefit is granted to the political organisation (party). Within the meaning of this Law, a gift (donation) is also a transfer of movable or immovable property to the ownership of the political organisation (party) and provision of services to the political organisation (party) for a charge lower than the market value of the relevant movable or immovable property or service. Source Article 4.(2) & 2.(2) Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates?	CodeNo data Comment All financial activities by a candidate are considered as financial activities of his/her respective nominating political party. Source
23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities?	CodeNo data Comment BLANK Source
24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns?	CodeYes Comment 6.(5) Political organisations (parties) are prohibited to take loans. Source 6.(5) Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?	CodeNo data Comment All financial activities by a candidate are considered as financial activities of his/her respective nominating political party. Source
26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes?	CodeNo Comment BLANK Source
27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system?	CodeSometimes Comment Section 6. (2) All gifts (donations) of financial assets the sum of which exceeds one minimum monthly salary shall be transferred directly into the bank account of the relevant political organisation (party), but other gifts (donations) shall be given, transferred or submitted directly and without mediation to the relevant political organisation (party). Source Section 6. (2) Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).

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28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?	CodeYes, regularly Comment Section 7.1 State Budget Financing (1) State budget financing shall be granted to a political organisation (party) for which more than two percent of voters have voted in the previous Saeima elections, in the amount of EUR 0,71 in a calendar year for each vote acquired. Source Section 7.1, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding?	CodeShare of seats in previous election Comment Section 7.1 State Budget Financing (1) State budget financing shall be granted to a political organisation (party) for which more than two percent of voters have voted in the previous Saeima elections, in the amount of EUR 0,71 in a calendar year for each vote acquired. Source Section 7.1 Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding?	CodeProportional to votes received Comment Section 7.1 State Budget Financing (1) State budget financing shall be granted to a political organisation (party) for which more than two percent of voters have voted in the previous Saeima elections, in the amount of EUR 0,71 in a calendar year for each vote acquired. Source Section 7.1 Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?	CodeCampaign spending \| Ongoing party activities Comment Section 7.4 Spending of the State Budget Financing (1) A political organisation (party) shall spend the State budget financing for the provision of political and economic activity thereof and is entitled to spend it for: 1) premise hire, including the organisation of meetings, and services related to premise hire, including public utility services; 2) communication and Internet services; 3) work remuneration and other payments to natural persons connected with the operations of the relevant political organisation (party) or the operations of the association of the relevant political organisation (party); 4) sworn auditor services; 5) research work, polls and consultations; 6) the organisation of educational events intended for inhabitants, including public events, seminars, charity events, and the publication and distribution of books, informative materials, excluding the ensuring of catering services; 7) political campaigns. Source Section 7.4, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?	CodeYes Comment Section 6. Right to the State Ensured Free of Charge Broadcasting Time (1) Deputy candidates who are on the list of deputy candidates of the same title have rights to use the State ensured free of charge broadcasting time for the pre-election campaign in the first television and radio programme of the public electronic mass media Source Section 6. (1) Pre-election Campaign Law, the amended version of law 16.06.2016 in force from 15.07.2016, OP numurs: 2012/199.2
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?	CodeEqual Comment Section 9. Procedure for Use of the State Ensured Free of Charge Broadcasting Time (1) The State ensured free of charge broadcasting time for pre-election campaign may be used by all deputy candidates, who are in the list of deputy candidates of the same title, together or, upon reaching an agreement, by some of them. The relevant public electronic mass medium shall be notified on such agreement in each individual case. Source Section 9. (1) Pre-election Campaign Law, the amended version of law 16.06.2016 in force from 15.07.2016, OP numurs: 2012/199.2
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?	CodeNo data Comment All financial and campaign activities by a candidate are considered as financial and campaign activities of his/her respective nominating political party. Source
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?	CodeYes Comment Section 5. Tax Relief Natural persons who have, in compliance with the provisions of this Law, given (donated) financial resources or property to a political organisation (party) shall be exempted from payment of the relevant State fees. Source Section 5. Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates?	CodeNo Comment BLANK Source
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties?	CodeNo Comment BLANK Source

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Question	Value
38. Is there a ban on vote buying?	CodeYes Comment Section 90. Hindrance of the Exercise of the Right to Vote, the Right to Participate in Initiation of Legislation, Initiation of National Referendums and Supporting of the European Citizens’ Initiative (2) For a person who knowingly commits hindrance of the right to freely elect members of the parliament and to be elected or to freely participate in a national referendum organised in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Latvia, by the use of violence, fraud, threats, payoffs, or other unlawful means, the applicable punishment is deprivation of liberty for a term up to three years or temporary deprivation of liberty, or community service, or a fine. Source Section 90. (2), The Criminal Law, 12 February 2015 [came into force from 19 February 2015].
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend?	CodeYes Comment There are different limits for Parliamentary, Local Government and European Parliament election expenses. Source Section 8. Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit?	CodeSection 8.4 Restrictions for the Amount of Pre-election Expenses \| A political party which has submitted the list of candidates thereof for election to the Saeima in five electoral districts, in pre-election expenses may spend an \| amount that does not exceed the monthly average gross work remuneration for the year before last published by the Central Statistical Bureau which is approximated to euros applying a coefficient 0.0004 per voter at the previous election of the Saeima. The same coefficient is for Municipal Elections. For European Parliament Elections coefficient is 0.0003. Comment BLANK. Source Section 8.4, Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend?	CodeYes Comment Any financial activity of a candidate will be considered as financial activities of a respective political party. Therefore all the expenditures will be regarded as expenditures of a political party's and the threshold will be applied. Source
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit?	CodeNot applicable Comment Any financial activity of a candidate will be considered as financial activities of a respective political party. Therefore all the expenditures will be regarded as expenditures of a political party's and the threshold will be applied. 8.4.(4.1) If a separate candidate has performed individual pre-election canvassing campaign, then the funds spent on this campaign shall be included in the pre-election expenses of the political organisation (party) from whose submitted list of candidates this person is standing in the relevant elections. Source 8.4.(4.1) Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities?	CodeYes, spending limit exists Comment 5(2) Unrelated person for pre-election campaign may use resources not exceeding 15 minimum monthly wages. A minimum monthly wage within the meaning of this Law shall be the amount of the minimum monthly wage which was determined on 1 January of the relevant calendar year. Source Section 5.(2) Pre-election Campaign Law, the amended version of law 16.06.2016 in force from 15.07.2016, OP numurs: 2012/199.2
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?	CodeNo Comment BLANK Source
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?	CodeNo Comment BLANK Source
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist?	CodeYes Comment Section 13. Pre-election Campaign in the Programmes of Foreign Electronic Mass Media Electronic mass media, which are providing retransmission of programmes by foreign electronic mass media in Latvia shall include a provision in the contract with the relevant foreign electronic mass medium that during the period of pre-election campaign programmes to be re-transmitted in Latvia may not include campaign materials on political parties, its associations and voters associations. Source Section 13. Pre-election Campaign Law, the amended version of law 16.06.2016 in force from 15.07.2016, OP numurs: 2012/199.2

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47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances?	CodeYes Comment Section 8.5 Annual Report (1) A political organisation (party) shall prepare annual report regarding each reporting year. (2) A political organisation (party) shall, not later than by 31 March each year, submit the annual report to the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau. Source Section 8.5 Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances?	CodeYes Comment Section 8.2 Declaration of Income and Expenses of Elections (1) The political parties which have submitted their lists of candidates for the election to the Saeima, local government councils (parish councils) or the European Parliament, shall submit to the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau a declaration of income and expenses of elections signed by the board of the relevant political party or authorised person thereof in accordance with the procedures stipulated by the Cabinet within 30 days after the election day. Source Section 8.2 (1) Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances?	CodeYes Comment All financial activities by a candidate are considered as financial activities of his/her respective nominating political party. Source
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances?	CodeNo data Comment BLANK Source
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?	CodeYes Comment Section 9. (1) The financial and economic activities of political organisations (parties) shall be transparent and publicly available. Source Section 9. (1) Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?	CodeYes Comment Section 7. (2) Within the meaning of this Law a gift (donation) is anonymous if in the accounting documents of the political organisation (party) the given name, surname, personal identification number and place of residence in respect of the giver (donor) - a natural person - are not indicated. Source Section 7. (2) Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income?	CodeNo data Comment BLANK Source
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?	CodeYes Comment Political parties must report on itemized spending of the State budget financing. Section 8.5 (22) In submitting the annual report of a political organisation (party) to the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, the political organisations (parties), which have been granted State budget financing, shall append a report on spending of the State budget financing in the accounting year, indicating the remainder of money at the beginning and end of the accounting year, money income and money payments for the types of expenditure laid down in Section 7.4, Paragraph one of this Law. Source Section 8.5 (22) Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates?	CodeSpecial agency for political finance Comment Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau Source
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?	CodeOther Comment Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau Source
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations?	CodeRefer for investigation \| Carry out investigation \| Request additional information from potential violator \| Request additional information from others \| Impose sanctions Comment Section 2.(5) the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau may request that the natural person who has given a gift (donation), paid in membership fee or joining fee, submits a filled-in form regarding his or her income, money savings, debt liabilities and properties. Section 7.3 (1) The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau shall take a decision on refusal to grant State budget financing to a political organisation (party); Section 7.3 (2)Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau shall take a decision to suspend the disbursement of State budget financing. Section 7.4 (3) Upon a request of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau the political organisation (party) shall submit documents justifying the spending of the State budget financing thereto. Section 8.2 (3) The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau shall perform an audit of declarations of income and expenses of elections. Section 10.(1.1) If the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau identifies a violation, the Head of the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau has a duty to charge the relevant political party to repay the illegally acquired financial assets to the payer within 30 days. Source Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?	CodeFines \| Prison \| Forfeiture \| Loss of public funding \| Deregistration of party \| Suspension of political party \| Suspension of public funding Comment Section 288.4 (1) For the acceptance of illegal financing of political organisations (parties) or associations of political organisations (parties) on a large scale the applicable punishment is deprivation of liberty for a term up to three years or temporary deprivation of liberty, or community service, or a fine. Section 10. The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau is obliged to suspend the state funding to political party or the activities of the concerned political organisation (party) through court, and in some cases the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau has a duty to initiate termination of the relevant party through court. Source Section 288.4(1). The Criminal Law, 12 February 2015 [came into force from 19 February 2015]. Section 10. Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties), the amended version of law 01.12.2017 in force from 01.01.2018, No. 114 (397).

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