Latvia: Prime Minister Kulbergs' Joint List wins the parliamentary elections

As already predicted by the polls, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' "Joint List" won with 35.3% of the votes. "It is a result exceeding expectations", the prime minister commented. Voter turnout fell sharply compared to 2022 (59.4%), standing at 51.8% of those entitled to vote: it is the lowest in the last 35 years.

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. United List, the party of Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, won with 35.3% of the preferences (42 seats), 24.2% more than in the 2022 elections. The populist movements Latvia First (13.1%, 17 seats) and Sovereign Power (11.7%, 15 seats) were clearly far behind. In fourth place was the centre-right National Alliance party (8.9%, 10 seats), followed by the social democratic movement I Progressisti (7.8%, 9 seats). Only 6.3% of the preferences (7 seats) go to New Unity, the party of former prime minister Evika Silina, down by more than 12% compared to the elections four years ago. However, the Union of Greens and Farmers remains outside Parliament for the first time in the last 24 years, remaining below the threshold of 5%. Voter turnout fell sharply compared to 2022 (59.4%), standing at 51.8% of those entitled to vote, the lowest in the last 35 years.

The United List's victory represents the largest victory achieved by a political party in the Latvian parliamentary elections since the secession from the Soviet Union in 1991. "It is a result exceeding expectations", Kulbergs had already declared, commenting on the exit polls which attributed a similar advantage to his party. “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.

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.