Latvia’s pro-Ukraine United List, led by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, won the country’s parliamentary election by a wide margin, according to partial results, reinforcing its pro-European and security-focused direction.
With more than half of ballots counted, the centrist party held about 35.8% of the vote, far ahead of the populist Latvia First and other challengers. The election was held on October 3, 2026, amid heightened concern about Russia’s war against Ukraine, drone incidents affecting Latvian airspace and the rising cost of living. Kulbergs, who became prime minister in May after the previous coalition collapsed, said the result showed that voters wanted economic growth and a better future for their children.
The result is expected to preserve Latvia’s strong support for Ukraine and its close alignment with the European Union and NATO. However, the victory may not translate into a simple governing mandate, because several existing coalition partners performed poorly or hovered near the five-percent threshold for parliamentary representation. Kulbergs will probably need to negotiate a new coalition, while populist and Russia-friendly parties seek to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction over living costs and security concerns.