"Priests' party" aims at spiritual Saeima

Eriks Jekabsons says he never intended to be a politician.

A former kick boxer and martial arts instructor turned Lutheran priest, Jekabsons returned to his native Latvia last year after a 16-year sojourn in Chicago, where he settled after the KGB accused him of being a CIA spy.

Now, his Latvia's First Party, dubbed "the priests' party" by the local media for the four ordained ministers on its election list, is poised to join the next government.

Formed just four months before election day, the party surged in popularity down the home stretch, winning 10 seats in the Oct. 5 general election. Leaders announced Oct. 8 the party was ready to join election winner New Era in forming Latvia's next government.

Running on an anti-corruption campaign that highlighted Christian values, the party struck a cord with disillusioned voters.

"People have lost hope in their leaders. There has been so much disappointment because many people don't feel that their lives have improved at all," Jekabsons said.

The party has marketed itself as a moral force but has been careful not to overdue the religious message, focusing also on its support for NATO and winning a fair deal for Latvian farmers and producers from the European Union.

"We're not going to support setting up a theocracy in Latvia," Jekabsons says. "We're just looking to put moral, Christian values back into democracy."

Analysts say the party benefited from the same wave of voter discontent that tossed long-standing government party Latvia's Way out of power.

A reputation as outsiders, free from the corruption, cronyism and failures that have stained the reputation of the current government, helped as well.

"I trust them the most," said Aina Kalina, 72, after casting her vote in central Riga Oct. 5. "I have very negative feelings about the current government. They promised to raise pensions but nothing has changed, nothing has happened."

Janis Vanags, the bishop of the Lutheran Church in Latvia, said the party's religious message did resonated with some voters.

"The church enjoys rather high esteem from society, and people are thirsty for politicians they can trust," he said. "I think it's positive that ministers and professionals from secular areas were able to come together without ignoring the spiritual side of life."

The next challenge, Vanags said, is not losing the trust of the people who put them into power. The First Party has been reluctant to cooperate with the center-right People's Party, which took 21 seats. Jekabsons says the party is controlled by "oligarchs" and has been critical of party leader Andris Skele, a successful businessman who has been prime minister of three different governments since independence.

"People hope they don't sit in opposition but actually try to influence things. But there are limits to compromise," Vanags said. "If they have to sell out their principles in order to join the government, that would create a lot of disappointment."