Latvian Leader Surges to Big Election Win as Russia Threats Rise

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ party won a record number of seats in Latvia’s parliamentary elections, a result that should help him consolidate power at a time of growing security threats from Russia.

United List was set to take 42 seats in the Baltic nation’s 100-member parliament, the central election commission said, with more than 95% of ballots counted. The result is the best recorded by a single party since Latvia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The victory is vindication for Kulbergs, 47, a relative newcomer to politics, who was nominated as prime minister in May after the previous government collapsed following a botched response to a drone incursion. At a towering six foot five, he’s cut a brash figure, clashing with the opposition, his own colleagues, and the central bank governor.

Since becoming premier Kulbergs has posted a daily video on social media detailing his activities in a direct message to voters, a novelty for Latvian politics.

Last month he made a last-ditch attempt to prevent the removal of two Russian billionaires from the European Union’s sanctions list. Under his leadership, Latvia is likely to continue its strongly pro-Ukrainian course.

Read more: Latvian Leader With Brash Style Poised for Re-Election

“This is a great, great amount of trust from voters,” Kulbergs told Latvian TV after the exit polls were announced. “People want change, people want direct communication, people want to see that we’re putting the economy as the top priority for the country.”

Together with two of his current partners in government — New Unity and the National Alliance — Kulbergs can count on about 60 votes, the partial results showed. This puts him in a strong position ahead of coalition talks after another ally in the current ruling alliance, the Union of Greens and Farmers, failed to get into parliament.

Saturday’s election took place against the backdrop of heightened security concern for the Baltic state. Russia has been ramping up sabotage actions and warned last week that it could strike defense manufacturers in Europe that help supply arms to Ukraine, potentially putting Latvia in the crosshairs.

To prevent that, the country has been moving to fortify its border with Russia and Belarus and has increased defense spending, aiming to reach 5% of economic output.

The EU and NATO member state has become one of the staunchest supporters of Kyiv since President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion in February 2022. Latvia hosts 20% of the Ukrainian government’s data on its servers for security, according to the prime minister. It’s also home to the biggest Russian-speaking minority among the three Baltic states.

The two parties vying for those voters were set to receive a combined 11.7% support. The Latvia in First Party came in second with 13.1% and the Progressives took 7.8%.

Protecting this year’s parliamentary elections has been a high priority. Latvia asked Germany to send fighter jets to help protect its airspace during the vote. The country will also start talks on joining France’s nuclear deterrence initiative, with Paris agreeing to strengthen the Baltic state’s air defense, Kulbergs said last month.