{
  "id": 11883560,
  "title": "Latvia election: Pro-Ukraine PM Kulbergs set to retain power after historic victory for his United List party",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/latvia-election-pro-ukraine-pm-kulbergs-set-to-retain-power-after",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-04T08:38:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW English (Top Stories)",
    "slug": "dw-english-top-stories",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/latvia-election-pro-ukraine-pm-kulbergs-set-to-retain-power-after-historic-victory-for-his-united-list-party/a-79527253?maca=en-rss-en-top-1022-xml-mrss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Latvia's recent parliamentary election, centrist United List party, led by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, secured a historic victory, claiming 35.3% of the vote. This result earned the United List 42 seats out of the total 100 in the Saeima, the country's parliament. With 97% of the ballots counted, United List achieved its largest parliamentary election win since Latvia's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.\n\nKulbergs, a 47-year-old businessman and amateur rally driver, assumed office in May following the collapse of the previous coalition due to its management of stray Ukrainian military drones. An exit poll projected Latvia First party as the second-place party with 11.3% of the vote, a substantial increase from their previous 2022 election share. Kulbergs firmly stated that he would not collaborate with any pro-Russian parties and explicitly rejected forming a coalition with Latvia First.\n\nThe election, held to elect 11 members of the Saeima from 14 parties using a proportional system, was primarily driven by high living costs and national security concerns in Latvia, a small Baltic country bordered by Russia and Belarus. The ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia is perceived as a direct threat to Latvia's national security, similar to Ukraine's situation. However, unlike Ukraine, Latvia is a member of both the European Union and NATO.\n\nRiga, Latvia's capital and a key partner to Kyiv, had committed to spending at least 5% of its GDP on defense, leaving less room for other expenditures. Latvia faces challenges such as high prices, low wages, a sluggish economy, a strained health system, emigration, and an aging population. Populist movements like the Sovereign Power/Young Latvians Alliance and Latvia First attempted to capitalize on discontent by advocating for a more lenient stance towards Russia, arguing that complete economic decoupling from Russia is detrimental.\n\nDespite these developments, no parties proposed significant deviations from Latvia's clear alignment with the EU and NATO. In response to a request from Riga, Germany deployed four Eurofighter jets to protect Latvia's airspace during the election.",
  "summary": "Latvia's prime minister, Andris Kulbergs, looks set to retain power after his party appeared to score the country's biggest election victory since independence.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW News",
        "title": "Latvia election: Pro-Ukraine PM Kulbergs set to retain power after historic victory for his United List party",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/03/latvia-election-pro-ukraine-pm-kulbergs-set-to-retain-power-after",
        "published": "2026-10-03T18:05:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Latvia PM Kulbergs wins election held under shadow of Ukraine war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/latvia-pm-kulbergs-wins-election-held-under-shadow-of-ukraine-war",
        "published": "2026-10-04T03:45:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs wins election held under shadow of Ukraine war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/latvian-prime-minister-andris-kulbergs-wins-election-held-under",
        "published": "2026-10-04T04:38:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Latvia PM Kulbergs wins election held under shadow of Ukraine war",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/latvia-pm-kulbergs-wins-election-held-under-shadow-of-ukraine-war-11859405",
        "published": "2026-10-04T05:38:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}