State of Democracy in Latvia

• In Event: Contemporary Challenges: Political Dynamics, Public Safety, and Legal Dilemmas

Abstract

Ieva Birka, the author of the 2023 Freedom House Nations in Transit country report for Latvia will discuss the state of democracy in Latvia. The report, which utilizes the Freedom House Nationals in Transit methodology, assesses the state of national democratic governance, electoral process, civil society, independent media, local democratic governance, judicial framework and independence, and corruption. In having applied the FH methodology to Latvia, Dr. Birka will review the events of 2023 and will be able to comment on the relevant developments contributing to Latvia’s democracy score changes. In addition, the democracy score of Latvia will be presented in the Baltic Sea region context.

Short Bio

University of Latvia lead researcher on diplomacy and political science at the Advanced Social and Political Research Institute (ASPRI). Having received her Ph.D. from the University of Latvia, she further elevated her credentials with post-doctoral fellowships at institutions like Yale and the University of Lucerne. She has published in academic journals such as Space and Polity, the Hague Journal of Diplomacy, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, Journal of Baltic Studies, and Diaspora Studies.

Author

• Ieva Birka, University of Latvia