On June 18, 2026, the Saeima passed legislation that both ratified the Istanbul Convention and voted to withdraw from it, prompting one of the largest demonstrations in the last decade. The Green and Zemnieku savienība (ZZS) played a pivotal role in these decisions, exhibiting shifts in its stance regarding the convention. ZZS’s position on the Istanbul Convention has been notable.
Initially, the party firmly opposed the treaty in 2018. A visit from the Catholic Church’s archbishop, Zbigņevs Stankevičs, reportedly influenced the Saeima party group, advising that the document could not be supported. Despite this, Latvia took a significant step toward the convention by signing it in 2016, when the government was led by ZZS Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis (now affiliated with the United List).
Following the 2016 signing, the issue became entangled in ideological debates within the Latvian parliament. The recent developments, involving both ratification and withdrawal, underscore the complex political maneuvering surrounding the Istanbul Convention. The actions taken by the Saeima, heavily influenced by the evolving stance of the ZZS, have resulted in considerable public protest.
Topics: #zzs #convention #istanbul
