Growth | |
Native Name: | Izaugsme |
Leader: | Andris Skride |
Headquarters: | Meža iela 5 Baloži, Ķekava Municipality |
Colours: | Yellow Green |
Position: | Centre |
National: | Development/For! (de iure only) |
Seats1 Title: | Saeima |
Seats2 Title: | European Parliament |
Seats3 Title: | Mayors |
Country: | Latvia |
Growth is a centrist political party in Latvia.[1] It was founded on March 27, 2013, by cardiologist Andris Skride. It is governed by a board of five members – Artūrs Ancāns, Artūrs Čačka, Andris Skride, Rita Turkina un Juris Žilko.[2]
The party participated in the 2014 Latvian parliamentary elections, placing second-to-last.[3]
In March 2018, Growth voted to form the Development/For! party alliance with the liberal For Latvia's Development and Movement For! parties to run in the 2018 Latvian parliamentary election.[4] The alliance won 13 seats in the Saeima, with one seat won by party leader Skride. The alliance became the biggest party at the 2020 Riga City Council elections on a joint list with The Progressives, although none of the four Growth candidates running were elected.[5] The alliance de facto dissolved in 2022.[6]
The party does not have a specific ideology, although it has been described as regionalist,[7] with its program focusing on increasing public health and research spending, government efficiency and strengthening the judiciary. The program also expresses support for adopting a progressive tax model.[8]
Election | Party leader | Performance | Rank | Government | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | ± pp | Seats | +/– | ||||
2014 | Andris Skride | 1,515 | 0.17 | New | New | 12th | ||
2018 | 101,685 | 12.12 | 11.95 | 1 | 4th | |||
2022 | 45,452 | 4.97 | 7.15 | 1 | 8th | |||
The party currently also has elected members in the councils of Madona Municipality and Ķekava Municipality.