Kulbergs' electoral alliance United List clearly wins Latvian parliamentary election
Quick Look
- In Latvia, Prime Minister Andris Kulberg's United List electoral alliance won the parliamentary election with 35.4 percent of the vote, more than tripling its result from the previous election.
- Populist parties also made gains, while voter turnout was 51.8 percent.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The election in Latvia was dominated by issues such as national security, defense, socio-political and economic problems. Latvia shares borders with Russia and Belarus and is investing heavily in its security, putting strains on its healthcare system and other areas.
Clear confirmation of the head of government's pro-EU and pro-Ukraine course: Prime Minister Kulberg's party wins clearly in Latvia. She is likely to lead the government again.
Prime Minister Kulbergs and his alliance clearly won the election in Latvia. Photo: Alexander Welscher/dpa
Riga. In the parliamentary elections in the EU and NATO country Latvia, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' United List electoral alliance surprisingly prevailed. With 35.4 percent of the vote, the center-right group emerged as the clear winner of the vote, as data from the electoral commission in Riga showed after counting information from 94 percent of all polling stations. This meant the party was able to more than triple its result compared to the previous election.
Populist forces also made strong gains in the election, which was dominated by concerns about national security and socio-political problems. The second strongest force is the Latvia party in first place (13.2 percent) ahead of Sovereign Power (11.8 percent). Both are likely to have scored particularly well with voters from the Russian minority. Behind them are the left-wing progressives (7.4 percent).
Parliament with six parties and electoral alliances
Of Kulbergs' previous three coalition partners, only two made it into parliament: the national-conservative National Alliance (9.1 percent) and the liberal-conservative Jauna Vienotiba (6.2 percent). In total, 6 of the 14 parties and electoral alliances will be represented in the Saeima parliament. According to previous information, voter turnout was 51.8 percent.
The central issues in the election campaign for the Baltic state, which borders Russia and its ally Belarus, were security and defense. In addition, socio-political and economic issues also played a major role in the election campaign. Since Latvia is investing heavily in its security, there is a lack of money elsewhere. The health system is suffering, emigration and aging are a problem. Many people complain about high prices and low salaries, and the economy is stalling.
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What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The United List will try to form a coalition with the National Alliance and Jauna Vienotiba.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- How will the new government address the economic challenges?
- What concrete steps is the United List planning in security policy?
- What will cooperation with the opposition minority of Russian origin look like?
