Elections in Latvia: Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' Joint List in the lead

As already predicted by the polls, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' Joint List is leading with over 35% of the votes. "It's a result that exceeded expectations," Kulbergs had already declared, commenting on the exit polls that gave his party a similar advantage

In Latvia, parliamentary elections were held on 3 October. Citizens were called to the polls to renew the 100 seats of the unicameral Parliament: there were 1,428 candidates from 14 lists in the running. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' center-right party is on track to win, according to partial results, suggesting the country will maintain its pro-European and pro-Ukrainian line. However, even populist parties - with the support of Latvia's Russian-speaking minority - achieved a good result at the end of an electoral campaign dominated by fears related to neighboring Russia and the cost of living. Kulbergs' party, United List, is in the lead with 35.4% of the votes (as reported by state TV), after more than 90% of the ballots were counted. "It's a result that exceeded expectations," Kulbergs had already declared, commenting on the exit polls that gave his party a similar advantage. “It means that people really want change,” he added, explaining that this means “economic growth” and “a future for (Latvia's) children.” Kulbergs took over as Prime Minister in May, after Prime Minister Evika Silina announced her resignation.

Parliamentary elections in Latvia

Latvia is a member state of NATO and the European Union, which borders Russia and is home to a significant Russian-speaking minority. These parliamentary elections were the eleventh held in the country since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. 14 parties were competing for the 100 seats of the Saeima, with a proportional system. The latest polls already showed the United List, the party of Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, as the favourite. The exit polls, when the polls closed, confirmed the polls.

The turnout

Approximately 1.5 million people were entitled to vote. According to data released by the Latvian Central Election Committee, as of 12pm on October 3, voter turnout had reached 25.5%. Furthermore, taking advantage of early voting, 11.2% of voters (over 169 thousand people) had already expressed their preference in recent days.

Themes of the electoral campaign

The election campaign was marked by debate over the rising cost of living and security concerns, given that Latvia borders both Russia and Belarus. Andris Kulbergs, the current Latvian prime minister, has only been in office since May: the previous government fell due to a controversy over Ukrainian drones. His centre-right and conservative alliance, the United List, was also leading in the polls but experts predicted that his coalition would emerge weakened due to the advance of populist parties. A belief strengthened by the fact that discontent is growing in the country: many Latvians complain about high prices and low wages, the economy is stagnant, the healthcare system is under pressure, emigration and the aging population continue to represent important challenges.