Upcoming parliamentary elections in Latvia’s Latgale region reveal a concerning trend: a significant portion of candidates do not reside within the area they seek to represent. Specifically, almost a quarter of the candidates running in the October 3rd Saeima elections live outside Latgale. This marks a decrease in the total number of candidates compared to the previous election four years ago. The lack of local residency raises questions about the candidates’ understanding of, and connection to, the region’s specific needs and concerns. Experts suggest this could indicate challenges in attracting local individuals to stand for election. This situation potentially impacts the level of regional representation within the Latvian parliament. It underscores a broader debate about ensuring candidates have genuine ties to the communities they aim to serve.