Riga – Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, Latvia’s staunchly pro‑Ukraine leader, is expected to retain his seat in the upcoming national election on Saturday. At 47, the former racing driver has built his campaign around “unwavering support for Ukraine” and stronger anti‑drone defenses.
Election outlook
Kulbergs’ centrist United List leads the polls with 14.4% of the vote, but forming a governing coalition will be challenging. Seven parties are projected to win seats, meaning coalition‑building will require delicate negotiations.
Opposition parties
The pro‑Russian Sovereign Power party trails with 9.4% and promises to end aid to Ukraine, while its leader Julia Stepanenko declined to comment on sanctions against Russia, saying, “Our voters want peace.” The populist Latvia First party, linked to a businessman with ties to Russian oligarchs, runs third and seeks to bridge gaps between ethnic Latvians and Russian speakers.
Public sentiment
Pollsters note that many Latvians feel divided by the war in Ukraine. One‑third of respondents are undecided or say they will not vote. “The Ukraine war has divided our society,” Kulbergs told Reuters, adding that a sizable portion of the population does not see Russia as a threat and misunderstands defence spending.
Local concerns
In the city of Daugavpils, where half the residents are ethnic Russian, a music teacher who lost her job after failing a Latvian language exam hopes the new parliament will drop the language requirement. Activists and residents there argue that current policies, introduced after Russia’s 2022 invasion, limit Russian cultural expression.
Local journalist Inna Plavoka reports that some voters are attracted to promises of cheaper fuel and food from Russia, as well as increased support for the elderly, rather than continued aid to Ukraine.
Security backdrop
Latvia’s security concerns remain high after stray Ukrainian drones were blamed on Russian interference, prompting the collapse of the previous coalition. Baltic officials warn of ongoing Russian sabotage and cyber‑attacks, though they dismiss the possibility of a direct NATO assault.
Polling stations open at 8 a.m. (0500 GMT) and close at 8 p.m. Early results are expected within hours, with a final tally likely clear after midnight.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
