Latvian prime minister secures election victory

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and his centrist, pro-Ukrainian United List party won a decisive victory in the parliamentary elections held on Saturday, October 3, 2026. With 88% of the ballots counted, the United List secured 36.6% of the vote, significantly outpacing the populist, pro-Russian party Latvia First, which received 13.4%. The election was held against a backdrop of regional security concerns, including reports of Russian hybrid activities and drone incursions, which have left the electorate on edge.

Kulbergs, a 47-year-old businessman and rally driver, first assumed office in May following the collapse of a previous coalition. Despite his strong performance, the Prime Minister stated that he will need to seek coalition partners to form a new government, explicitly excluding the Latvia First party from his plans. While Western officials maintain that Russia is currently incapable of a direct military assault on NATO member states, the Latvian public remains focused on national security, with the current administration advocating for continued support for Ukraine.