United list wins parliamentary election in Latvia with 35.4 percent
Quick Look
- In the parliamentary election in Latvia, the United List electoral alliance under Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs won surprisingly clearly with 35.4 percent of the vote, more than tripling its result from the previous election.
- Populist parties such as Latvia First and Sovereign Power also made strong gains, while six out of fourteen contested parties entered the Saeima.
- The voter turnout was 51.8 percent.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Latvia is an EU and NATO member state that borders Russia and Belarus. National security was a key issue in the election campaign as the country invests heavily in its defense. At the same time, there are social and economic challenges such as an underfunded healthcare system, emigration, aging, high prices and low salaries.
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.
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
The government will continue to increase spending on defense and security.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- How will the United List choose its coalition partners now that only two out of three previous partners have made it into parliament?
- What specific measures is the new government planning to tackle the social and economic problems?
- How will the election affect Latvia's relations with Russia and Belarus?
