Latvia election: Pro-Ukraine PM Kulbergs set to retain power after historic victory for his United List party

Riga, Latvia - Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' centrist, pro-Ukraine United List party claimed a significant victory in Saturday's parliamentary election, based on partial results. With 88 percent of ballots counted, the United List secured 36.6 percent of the vote, surpassing the populist Latvia First party, which received 13.4 percent.

Latvia First had targeted the substantial ethnic Russian minority in the country. Baltic nations have expressed concerns about Russia's alleged cyber and hybrid attacks across Europe, though Western officials downplay fears of a direct Russian assault on NATO, of which Latvia is a member.

Kulbergs expressed satisfaction with the unexpectedly strong result, stating that he hopes to remain prime minister but would prefer not to govern with Latvia First. He will need to form a coalition government. In the exit poll, the pro-Russian Sovereign Power party came in third, receiving 11.6 percent of the vote, followed by the nationalist National Alliance, which received 9.1 percent.

Kulbergs, a 47-year-old businessman and amateur rally driver, assumed office in May following the collapse of the previous coalition over the handling of incidents involving stray military drones that flew undetected into Latvia, with Russia blamed for causing the drones to deviate from their flight paths. The prime minister emphasized security as the top priority, citing the need for robust defense measures and support for students, the economy, and pensioners.

Kulbergs' campaign focused on enhancing anti-drone capabilities and maintaining defense spending at 5% of the country's gross domestic product, one of the highest levels in NATO. His opponents argue that Latvia should cease aid to Ukraine and instead prioritize addressing the cost of living, particularly among the Russian-speaking minority.

The Sovereign Power party leader, Julia Stepanenko, urged for an end to "air alerts" and warned against encouraging the war, suggesting that Ukraine should strive for peace through negotiations rather than confrontation.

Latvia, home to 1.9 million people, is located between the Baltic Sea and Russia, Belarus to the east, and shares borders with EU and NATO allies Estonia and Lithuania to the north and south.