Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ United List won Latvia’s parliamentary election with 35.3% of the vote, securing 42 seats in the 100-member Saeima, according to final results reported by the Central Election Commission on Sunday . The outcome marks the strongest performance by a single party since Latvia regained independence in 1991 .
Kulbergs, who became prime minister in May after a political crisis triggered by drone incursions into Latvian airspace, said the result exceeded expectations. “It’s remarkably good. I was not expecting such a result,” he told supporters in Riga . His party’s campaign emphasized security, economic growth, and continued support for Ukraine, with Kulbergs pledging to maintain defense spending at 5% of GDP and expand anti-drone capabilities .
Latvia First finished second with 13.1% of the vote and 17 seats, while the pro-Russian Sovereign Power/Young Latvians alliance took third with 11.7% and 15 seats . Kulbergs has ruled out cooperation with both parties, leaving potential coalition partners as the National Alliance (10 seats) and New Unity (7 seats), which share his pro-NATO and pro-Ukraine stance .
Turnout reached 51.8%, the lowest in post-independence parliamentary elections . Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated Kulbergs, calling the result a reflection of Latvian confidence in his leadership .
