The Latvian Farmers' Union (, LZS) is an agrarian political party in Latvia.
Initially formed in 1917 during the period of Latvian War of Independence (as ), it was banned in 1934, which was notably done by its founder Kārlis Ulmanis. It was re-established in 1990. It is positioned in the centre on the political spectrum and it has expressed conservative and nationalistic rhetoric. Since 2002, the party has been a part of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS). It was formerly a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe.
History
Founded in 1917, the party was the most influential conservative party in Latvia in the period from Independence in 1918 until the self-coup led by Kārlis Ulmanis in 1934, and the second most popular party overall after the Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party. Ulmanis, who was a member of the party, banned all political parties after his coup, including the LZS. As Latvia was subsequently occupied during the course of the Second World War, the party was dormant until it reformed in 1990 when Latvia regained its independence. Immediately after the restoration of independence, there existed several groups competing at elections to claim the legacy of the pre-war LZS.
Since 2002 it has been part of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) coalition, which it formed along with the Latvian Green Party. The coalition also included the For Latvia and Ventspils and the Liepāja Party, who had cooperation agreements with the party allowing their members to be elected to the Saeima on the list of the Union of Greens and Farmers.
From 2014 to 2019 the party had one member of the European Parliament, Iveta Grigule, who ultimately sat with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats group, having previously sat with the Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy group and as a Non-Attached Member.
The Green Party and the Liepāja Party left the ZZS in June 2022, but were replaced by the Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party.
Election results
Legislative elections ElectionParty leaderPerformanceRankGovernmentVotes%± ppSeats+/– 1920Kārlis Ulmanis126,43417.79New New2nd 1922132,764 16.77 1.02 9 2nd 1925125,070 15.03 1.74 1 2nd 1928139,173 14.97 0.06 0 2nd 1931118,443 12.25 2.72 2 2nd Banned 1934-1990 under Ulmanis regime and the Latvian SSR 1993Jānis Kinna119,116 10.65New New4th 199560,498 6.36(LZS-KDS-LDP) 4.29 9 6th 199823,732 2.48 3.88 3 7th 2002Augusts Brigmanis93,7599.47(ZZS) 6.99 7 5th 2006151,59516.81(ZZS) 7.34 5 2nd 2010190,02520.11(ZZS) 3.30 1 3rd 2011111,95712.33(ZZS) 7.78 8 5th 2014178,21019.66(ZZS) 7.33 6 3rd 201883,6759.97(ZZS) 9.69 6 6th 2022Armands Krauze113,67612.58(ZZS) 2.61 6 2nd
European Parliament elections Election List leader Votes % Seats +/– EP Group 2004Baiba Rivža 24,467 4.28 (#8) New– 2009 29,463 3.79 (#10) 0 2014 Andris Bērziņš 36,637 8.32 (#4) 1 EFDD NI ALDE 2019 Dana Reizniece-Ozola 25,252 5.37 (#6) 1– 2024 Harijs Rokpelnis 11,852 2.30 (#9) 0
Symbols and logos
References
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