After harsh criticism from both President Edgars Rinkevics and Prime Minister Evika Silina, the parliament in Riga has chosen to postpone further consideration of the issue until November 2026 at the earliest. This will also take place after next year's elections.
“A victory for democracy, the rule of law and women's rights,” writes Silina on X.
A majority in parliament previously voted to leave the convention, citing that it “promotes a deviant gender ideology.” However, that vote has been followed by demonstrations and protest lists.
The Istanbul Convention was developed by the Council of Europe and states that violence against women is a violation of human rights.
