Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ United List secured a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections, capturing 35.6 percent of the vote and surging 24 percentage points ahead of its previous standing, according to exit polls. The strong showing reinforces the Baltic nation’s pro-western trajectory amid heightened regional security concerns, though experts anticipate a fragmented parliament and complicated coalition talks.
United List Surges to 35.6 Percent in Latvian Parliamentary Elections
The ballot marked a major change in the Saeima, Latvia's parliament, as voters handed the United List a commanding lead. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs built his campaign on a platform emphasizing strict national defense upgrades and unwavering support for Ukraine. Following his vote, the 47-year-old leader stated that he hopes to implement lasting changes to secure a more stable development course, stressing that economic strength and enhanced security remain absolute prerequisites.
Populist Challenges and Coalition Shifts Shake Up the Saeima
While the ruling United List dominated the exit polls, the election also saw significant gains for the right-wing populist and pro-Russian alliance of “Sovereign Power” and the “Alliance of the Young Latvens.” That grouping pulled in 10.6 percent of the vote, locking into a tight race for second place alongside the populist Latvia First party at 11.3 percent and the Progressives at 11.1 percent. Of Kulbergs’ three prior coalition partners, only two managed to clear the parliamentary threshold: the national-conservative National Alliance at 8.7 percent and the liberal-conservative Jauna Vienotiba at 6.7 percent.
Greens and Farmers Union Collapses Below Threshold
The biggest casualty of the election was the Greens and Farmers Union, which collapsed to 3.7 percent and crashed out of the five-percent threshold. The party held a leading role in Latvian governance for decades, notably delivering the European Union’s first green head of government in 2004. With exit polls indicating that six parties total might enter the legislature, political analysts point toward a deeply fragmented Saeima. Kulbergs currently leads a four-party center-right coalition that formed in May after the collapse of its predecessor over a dispute concerning drone incidents, leaving future governing arrangements highly uncertain.
German Eurofighter Jets Secure Airspace During Voting
Security concerns dominated the election after repeated incursions by drones that drifted across the border from the Ukraine war and crashed on Latvian territory. NATO fighter jets intercepted and downed the unauthorized aircraft in two separate incidents, prompting Riga to request allied assistance to safeguard the democratic process. In response, the German military deployed four Eurofighter jets to patrol Latvian skies during the election. These defense expenditures contrast sharply with domestic pressures, as voters contend with a strained healthcare system, population aging, emigration, high prices, low wages, and a sluggish economy.
Did you know? Latvia shares a direct border with Russia and its close ally Belarus, housing a substantial Russian-speaking minority. However, a significant portion of this demographic lacks Latvian citizenship and is therefore ineligible to participate in national elections.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Latvian Election
When will official election results be released?
First official results are expected to be published overnight into Sunday, following the close of polling stations at 20.00 local time (19.00 CEST).
How many voters participated in the exit polls?
The post-election projections were gathered by interviewing nearly 6,500 voters immediately after they cast their ballots.
Why did the previous government fall before these elections?
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs took office in May after the previous government collapsed amid internal disagreements regarding handling drone incidents in national airspace.
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