Latvia’s United List, led by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, has won the country’s parliamentary election, according to preliminary results.
With more than 99 percent of votes counted, the United List secured about 35.3 percent of the vote and is projected to win 42 of the 100 seats in the Saeima, Latvia’s parliament. The result is the strongest performance by a political force in a Latvian parliamentary election since the restoration of independence.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
United List secured about 35.3 percent of the vote.
The party is projected to win 42 of the Saeima’s 100 seats.
Latvia First is projected to win 17 seats.
Sovereign Power/Young Latvians is projected to win 15 seats.
United List will need coalition partners to reach a parliamentary majority.
The Latvia First party finished second with about 13.1 percent of the vote and is projected to receive 17 seats. The Sovereign Power/Young Latvians alliance followed with about 11.7 percent and 15 seats.
The United List’s 42 seats fall short of the 51 needed for a majority in the 100-member parliament. Kulbergs is therefore expected to seek coalition partners to form the next government.
The election took place amid concerns over national security, defence spending, economic conditions and Latvia’s support for Ukraine. Latvia is a member of both NATO and the European Union and borders Russia and Belarus.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The result gives Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and the United List a strong position in forming Latvia’s next government. Coalition negotiations will determine the composition and policy priorities of the new administration.
Final results and the composition of the next governing coalition will depend on the completion of the official electoral process and subsequent coalition negotiations.
