Staff Reports
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’s United List finished first in Latvia’s parliamentary election and now faces the messy but familiar work of putting together a coalition. The pro‑Ukraine bloc won roughly 35% of the vote and is projected to take 42 of the 100 Saeima seats. That gives Kulbergs a clear lead — but not a majority — and starts the real politics: coalition talks.
United List’s big win — a clear plurality, not a free pass
This result is historic. Forty‑two seats would be the largest single showing in post‑Soviet Latvia. Voters sent a message that they want a government committed to Ukraine and to stronger NATO defenses on the Baltic flank. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs put it plainly: we must aim for Ukraine’s victory and beef up NATO presence here. That’s bold talk, and voters rewarded it.
Coalition math: partners will set the policy
Don’t let the headline win fool you. With 42 seats the United List still needs partners to reach 51. Provisional results show at least six parties clearing the threshold, leaving a splintered Saeima and plenty of bargaining. Parties like Latvia First, Sovereign Power, National Alliance, Progressives and New Unity all hold chunks of power. Even the old Greens & Farmers lost out by falling below five percent — a reminder that small shifts matter. The choices Kulbergs makes for partners will decide whether this government stays steady on defense and Ukraine, or drifts into compromise and backroom deals.
Security, drones, and the test of leadership
Voters remembered the spring crisis over stray drones and air‑defence gaps. That episode helped topple the previous government and turned security into a top campaign issue. If Kulbergs wants to make his pro‑Ukraine stance real, he must match words with money and hardware — more air defense, clearer NATO presence, smarter planning. Allies should step up, too. Lip service won’t stop stray drones or a bad actor next door.
Coalition talks will be the place to watch. Will Kulbergs get partners who share his priorities, or will he be forced into deals that water down defense commitments? For those who care about a free Europe and a secure Baltic, the answer matters. Expect drama, bargaining, and the usual political theater — but also the chance for real, tougher policy. Let’s hope they choose strength over spin. If not, voters may have to send another reminder at the next election — and nobody likes encore performances of the same mistakes.
