Public satisfaction with Riga’s city government is trending upward, according to a recent survey released this week. The poll, conducted by the SKDS research center, indicates 44% of residents now approve of the city council’s performance-a notable increase from earlier in the year, as Latvia prepares for upcoming European Parliament elections in June 2024. The findings offer a snapshot of public sentiment as Riga continues to balance historic preservation with modern urban progress [[1]].
Nearly half of Riga residents now approve of the city government’s performance, according to a recent survey, signaling a potential shift in public opinion.
A poll conducted in November by the research center SKDS found that 44% of Riga residents view the city council’s work positively. The increase in approval comes as the council focuses on addressing the everyday concerns of its citizens.
“In the Riga City Council, we make every decision with the real needs of Riga residents in mind. The interests, daily lives, safety, and confidence that the city is working for them always come first. Therefore, it is gratifying to see that the work and care invested in Riga are being appreciated and the assessment is improving. At the same time, I am well aware that we still have room to grow. To implement real change, we need to change our thinking – to dare to do better, to support new ideas and to create an environment where initiative is welcomed, not punished,” said Riga City Council Chairman Viesturs Kleinbergs.
The positive assessment represents a 7.3 percentage point increase compared to a similar survey conducted in May.
Respondents were most satisfied with the provision of water supply and sewage services, with 80% giving a positive rating. More than half of those surveyed also expressed approval of the city’s efforts in maintaining parks and green spaces, ensuring heat supply, supporting cultural life, improving the quality of communal services, providing public transportation, managing household waste, maintaining street lighting, ensuring public order and safety, maintaining school buildings and kindergartens, promoting a healthy lifestyle and sports, and improving the cleanliness of city-owned territories.
The survey also revealed demographic trends in approval ratings. Latvian citizens expressed more positive views of the council’s work than non-citizens. Residents aged 18-24 and 65-75, those with higher education, Latvian-speaking households, and individuals with low, medium-low, or medium-high incomes were also more likely to offer positive assessments. Those living in the Centrs and Kurzeme districts of Riga also showed higher approval rates.
Conversely, respondents aged 55-64, Russian speakers, and those residing in the Vidzeme and Latgale districts were more critical of the city council’s performance. The findings suggest a potential divide in perceptions based on language and geographic location.
The survey was conducted throughout November, with 801 respondents between the ages of 18 and 75 interviewed in their homes. Full survey results are available on the Riga City Council website.
