Latvian Prime Minister Kulbergs' United List Wins Parliamentary Election

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ ruling United List party secured a lead in the October 3 parliamentary election.

Provisional results gave his party approximately 35% of the vote and 42 seats in the 100-member parliament, the Saeima. This result is described as unprecedented for any political party since 1990 or in the country's post-independence history. Voter turnout was 51.6% according to LSM.lv, or 51.8% according to Reuters, down from 59.4% in 2022. Six political groups are expected to cross the 5% threshold required to enter parliament.

Latvia First finished second with approximately 13% and 17 seats. Sovereign Power/Union of New Latvians followed with 11% and 14 seats. The National Alliance is on course for 11 mandates, the Progressives nine, and New Unity seven. The Greens and Farmers Union appeared set to lose its parliamentary representation after attracting approximately 4.5%. Kulbergs became prime minister in May after Evika Silina's administration collapsed following incursions of several foreign drones.

Kulbergs stated the victory was a wider margin than he expected, indicating people “truly want change,” meaning “economic growth” and a future for the country’s children. He pledged continuing support to Ukraine and a hard line towards Moscow, and said he would not want to govern with Latvia First. Coalition negotiations had not formally begun, but United List and the National Alliance could command a narrow majority of 53 seats, increasing to 60 seats with New Unity.

The election campaign was dominated by fears over neighboring Russia, the cost of living, and other social issues. Sovereign Power opposes military aid to Ukraine and further increases to defense spending.