Latvian Parliament Votes to Exit Istanbul Convention, Setting EU Precedent

On October 30, 2025, the Parliament of Latvia, known as the Saeima, made the momentous decision to denounce the Istanbul Convention, the key international treaty designed to combat violence against women and domestic abuse. This move is historically significant, as it marks the first time a European Union member state has initiated such a withdrawal, setting a potentially controversial precedent within the European legal framework. The decision now awaits final approval through the signature of President Edgārs Rinkēvičs. The parliamentary vote revealed deep divisions, with 56 deputies voting in favor of the exit, 32 opposing it, and two members choosing to abstain.

This contentious resolution reflects a profound internal dispute regarding societal values and protective mechanisms within Latvia. Although the Convention only entered into force for Latvia in May 2024, following its ratification in November 2023, it had already spurred significant national action, including the development of a national plan to tackle violence against women and the introduction of a specific article addressing sexual harassment. Nevertheless, those advocating for denunciation, such as Deputy Ramona Petraviča of the “Latvia First” party, maintained that the document’s provisions imposed an alien “gender ideology.” Their core objection centered on the Convention’s interpretation of gender as a social construct, arguing that existing national legislation was already sufficient to address violence.

The political maneuver unfolded amidst considerable public tension. Just the day before, on October 29, approximately 5,000 citizens took to the streets of Rīga to protest the severance of ties with the international agreement. Prime Minister Evika Siliņa had publicly championed the retention of the Convention, cautioning that withdrawal would deliver a “crushing blow” to the country’s international standing. Concern over Latvia’s potential isolation was also voiced by Andris Suvajevs, the chairman of the Progressive Parties parliamentary group. Notably, the Union of Greens and Farmers broke coalition discipline by voting in support of the withdrawal, highlighting the depth of the political rift.

The debates within the Saeima were exceptionally fraught, lasting more than 13 hours and touching upon issues like external information campaigns and conspiracy theories. Several European partners, including diplomats from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, immediately expressed their concern. By withdrawing, Latvia risks aligning itself with Turkey, which remains the only other nation to have officially denounced the agreement after its exit in 2021. Historian Gatis Krūmiņš, speaking at the Rīga protest, observed that this action could cast suspicion on Latvia’s reliability as an international partner. Furthermore, organizations dedicated to women’s rights, such as the Center for Women “Marta” and the WAVE Network, have issued stark warnings that abandoning the Convention could negate progress made in protecting women’s rights and deprive victims of essential support services.