Baltic States – CIS, Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation

Representative of the State Police, Dairis Anucins, told LETA that the State Police have initiated an administrative case in connection with Straujuma's statements. The police are currently checking possible pre-election campaigning violations. After all the circumstances are clarified, the police will decide whether to press charges against Straujuma.

The applicable punishment for violating the pre-election campaigning rules for private individuals is a fine up to EUR 70, but for legal entities – a fine up to EUR 1,200. The law stipulates that it is prohibited to spread and publish any propaganda material on the election day and one day before the elections.

"Unity will win. I believe that Harmony Center will fail to keep up, as it is important to maintain security in our country. I have no confidence in Harmony Center and its faith in the independence of Latvia," Straujuma told the press representatives on the election day, October 4.

Straujuma said that she cannot tolerate Harmony's statements that the party is still in a partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin's party United Russia, and that Putin is the best president Russia has ever had.

Harmony announced already on the election day that it will turn to the authorities, requesting investigation of Straujuma's statement that Harmony poses threat against the independence of Latvia.

The police have also initiated an investigation in connection with information posted on Harmony leader Nils Usakovs' "Facebook" profile.