Latvia holds parliamentary election amid security and economic concerns
Quick Look
- Latvia opened polls for its 11th parliamentary election since independence, with 1.5 million eligible voters choosing among 14 parties for 100 Saeima seats.
- The vote is shaped by rising living costs, national security fears due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Latvia's NATO and EU commitments, including a legal mandate to spend at least 5% of GDP on defense.
- Populist parties advocating softer policies toward Russia are gaining ground, while German Eurofighter jets have been deployed to protect Latvian airspace during the election.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Latvia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has held 10 parliamentary elections since. The current election is the 11th. The country is a member of both the EU and NATO, and shares a border with Russia and Belarus. Latvia has a significant ethnic Russian and Russian-speaking minority. The previous government collapsed in May over a dispute about Ukrainian drones, leading to Andris Kulbergs becoming prime minister.
Polls opened in Latvia on Saturday with some 1.5 million people eligible to vote in the country's 11th parliamentary election since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
The election, which sees 100 seats in the Saeima being contested by 14 parties using a proportional system, has been dominated by rising living costs and national security concerns in the small Baltic country which borders both Russia and Belarus.
Latvia's current prime minister, Andris Kulbergs, has only been in office since May after the previous government collapsed over a dispute about Ukrainian drones.
His center-right, conservative United List alliance was leading in the polls ahead of the vote – but his coalition is expected to emerge weakened as populist parties gain.
Latvia vote shaped by Russia concerns
Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine is seen as a direct threat to national security in Latvia which, like Ukraine, is a former Soviet state with a sizeable ethnic Russian and Russian-speaking minority.
Unlike Ukraine, however, Latvia is a member of both the European Union and NATO.
Riga is one of Kyiv's closest partners and supporters, having committed itself by law to spending at least 5% of GDP on defense – leaving less room for spending elsewhere.
Many Latvians complain of high prices and low wages, the economy is sluggish, the health system is under strain, and emigration and an ageing population remain persistent challenges.
Populist movements such as the Sovereign Power/Young Latvians Alliance and the Latvia First party have attempted to exploit discontent by taking a less stringent line towards Moscow and arguing that a complete economic decoupling from Russia is damaging.
German Eurofighter jets in Latvian airspace
Nevertheless, no parties are proposing any major deviation from Latvia's clear foreign policy alignment with the EU and NATO.
Indeed, four German Eurofighter jets have been deployed to protect Latvian airspace during the election in response to a request from Riga.
Once ballots are counted, attention is likely to shift quickly to coalition negotiations, which could prove lengthy and complex.
Partial results are expected on Saturday evening, with preliminary official results due on Sunday.
Edited by: Natalie Muller
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Coalition negotiations will be lengthy and complex after the election.
Likely · Within days
Preliminary official results will be available on Sunday.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Which parties will form the next governing coalition?
- Will populist parties gain enough seats to influence policy direction?
- How will the election results affect Latvia's defense spending and foreign policy toward Russia and NATO?
- What is the voter turnout percentage?
