Riga, Latvia – On Saturday, Latvians cast ballots in a parliamentary election that could keep pro‑Ukrainian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs in power. The vote comes as the Baltic nation grapples with heightened security worries following a series of air‑space incursions linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Election outlook and key parties
Opinion polling places Kulbergs’ centrist United List at roughly 14% of the vote, narrowly ahead of the overtly pro‑Russian Sovereign Power party. The fragmented field also includes the populist, MAGA‑style Latvia First grouping and the left‑leaning Progressives, which attract younger voters.
Kulbergs, a 47‑year‑old businessman and amateur rally driver, rose to the premiership in May after the previous coalition collapsed over the handling of stray military drones that entered Latvian airspace. Although the drones were identified as Ukrainian, Latvian officials have blamed Russia for forcing them off course.
Security and defence priorities
During his campaign, Kulbergs pledged to boost Latvia’s anti‑drone capabilities and to maintain defence spending at 5% of gross domestic product, one of the highest percentages among NATO members. He told Reuters last month, “We have to give Ukraine everything necessary right now so that they can have the upper hand and win.”
His pro‑Kremlin rivals argue that Latvia should curb aid to Ukraine and focus on domestic cost‑of‑living concerns, especially among the country’s Russian‑speaking minority. Party leader Julia Stepanenko said, “Our voters want peace, to stop looking for shelters, to no longer experience the air alerts. The war must not be encouraged in any way, including by financing it… Ukraine must win, but through peace talks.”
Coalition building challenges
The 100‑member Saeima is elected for a four‑year term, and forming a governing coalition will depend on how many parties cross the 5% threshold. Kulbergs may need to negotiate with Latvia First leader Ainars Slesers, who has recently shifted toward a more anti‑Ukraine stance, as well as with other smaller parties.
Roberts Kits, a researcher at the Latvian Strategy and Economic Research Institute, noted, “His message is that the party condemns Russia’s invasion and stands with Ukraine, but that supporting Ukraine comes at the expense of Latvia’s economy.”
Voting details
Polling stations opened at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) and closed at 8 p.m. Early results are expected within hours, with a full count likely to be clear after midnight.
Latvia, a nation of about 1.9 million people, sits between the Baltic Sea and its NATO allies Estonia and Lithuania to the north and south, while Russia and Belarus lie to the east.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
