Latvian Constitutional Court Upholds Language Restrictions in Pre-Election Campaigns

On March 17, 2025, Latvia's Constitutional Court ruled that the requirement for pre-election campaigns to use the official state language conforms to Article 100 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression. The case was initiated by a political party challenging the prohibition of foreign languages in paid pre-election campaigns. The court emphasized the importance of protecting the formation of the electorate's free will, especially considering geopolitical influences and the need to maintain political stability. This decision reinforces the use of the Latvian language in political campaigning, aiming to safeguard national identity and democratic processes.