KULBERGS' UNITED LIST WINS LATVIAN PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION

Latvia's United List, led by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, won Saturday's parliamentary election, results showed on Sunday. The party took 35.4% of the vote, according to state television, more than 20 points ahead of the Latvia First party. United List looked set to take 42 of the 100 seats, which local media said was a record since Latvia's independence from the Soviet Union. Kulbergs said the result beat expectations and matched exit polls, and he must negotiate to form a majority coalition.

Kulbergs became prime minister in May, succeeding Evika Silina, who resigned after a dispute over Ukrainian drone strikes that crossed into Latvian territory. Latvia First is led by Ainārs Šlesers, who opposes restrictive tariffs on Russia. Reports differed on Kulbergs' outgoing coalition: one said partners National Alliance and New United cleared the 5% threshold, while another said one looked set to lose its seats. Kulbergs said the outcome showed "people truly want change," meaning "economic growth" and "a future for Latvia's children." The campaign focused on inflation, living costs, troubles at airline airBaltic, and migration Latvia said was orchestrated by Russia and Belarus.

The outcome signalled continued support for Latvia's pro-European and pro-Ukrainian stance, over four years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Latvia has been a NATO and EU member since 2004 and has raised defence spending, citing Russia as its main security threat. Kulbergs said strengthening the economy and border region was now "the main task" for a country on the EU's external border. Most parties expected to enter parliament backed continued defence spending and aid to Ukraine, except the Sovereign Power party, which opposed both and looked set to finish third after campaigning on living costs.