Locals head to the polls in 1st election after economic plunge

STORYLINE Voting began in Latvia on Saturday in a parliamentary election that could see a pro-Russia party win the most seats in the recession-torn country. Voting got under way early in the capital Riga, where voters expressed a mixture of hope and cynicism about the future prospects of their country. Polls indicate that the predominantly ethnic Russian party, Harmony Centre, has a narrow lead over a newly formed bloc, Unity, that unites several Latvian parties. The Saturday election is regarded as particularly crucial given Latvia's severe economic recession, which has been described by the International Monetary Fund as one of the worst in the world. The opposition Harmony Centre, which predominantly consists of ethnic Russians living in Latvia, is almost certain not to win a majority in the 100-seat legislature - nor would it be guaranteed a role in the next government. However, a strong showing would most likely allow Harmony Centre to sit in a future coalition given the high rate of government turnover in the tiny Baltic state. Many people fear that Harmony Centre would steer Latvia, a country of 2.3 (m) million people, away from NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) and the European Union - it joined both in 2004 - and closer towards Russia. Harmony Centre leaders deny the accusation, though they acknowledge they would like to recall Latvia's troops from the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan. Regardless, the next government will immediately be given the task of making large budget cuts and tax rises as part of an austerity programme put together by the International Monetary Fund and the EU. After four years of stellar growth fuelled by a borrow-and-spend boom, Latvia's economy nose-dived two years ago and has since shed some 25 percent of its size - one of the worst recessions in the world. Unemployment reached nearly 25 percent, and tens of thousands of young people fled for greener pastures in countries like England and Ireland. President Valdis Zatlers, who has the right to nominate the next prime minister, has said that one of the criteria in his selection will be a strict adherence to the bailout programme. He also said he would not allow any shifts in foreign policy, a clear hint that he would be reluctant to let the Harmony Centre form the next government. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/47456f2716c42752b2600b35b5b0b657 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork