Latvian PM Andris Kulbergs wins parliamentary election and faces coalition talks

Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has won the country's parliamentary election, with his centre-right United List emerging as the largest party and securing 42 of the 100 seats in parliament. He now has to assemble a new coalition to continue governing. The result gives his pro-European and pro-Ukrainian camp a strong position, but it does not by itself provide a majority.

Sponsored

Mr Kulbergs said the margin of victory was wider than he had expected after exit polls pointed to a strong showing for his party. He said the result showed that people wanted change, and linked that to economic growth and prospects for younger generations. His party's performance was described as unprecedented in Latvia's post-independence history, according to the supplied report.

The election campaign was shaped by fears over Russia, the cost of living and other social issues. Latvia, which borders Russia and is a member of NATO and the European Union, has treated security as a central political issue since Russia's invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago. The country has increased defence spending, and Mr Kulbergs said Latvia, as Europe's external border, needs both a strong economy and a strong border region.

The result also reflects a fragmented political landscape. Populist parties did well, helped by support from parts of Latvia's Russian-speaking minority, while Latvia First came second with 17 seats and Sovereign Power was set for third place with 15 MPs. Most parties expected to enter parliament support high military spending and aid to Kyiv, but Sovereign Power has opposed military aid to Ukraine and further increases in defence spending.

Sponsored

Mr Kulbergs took office in May at the head of a centre-right coalition, but one of his members failed to clear the five-percent threshold needed to enter parliament. That means he will have to change partners to keep governing. The result leaves open which parties will be brought into the next coalition and how stable it will be.

What remains unclear is which combinations of parties can command a workable majority and whether any of the parties that have ruled out cooperation with Sovereign Power will be needed in talks. The election outcome also raises questions about how firmly Latvia will maintain its current line on defence and support for Ukraine. The next stage will be coalition negotiations and the allocation of cabinet power.

#Latvia #AndrisKulbergs #UnitedList #parliamentaryelection #coalitiontalks