Latvia holds parliamentary elections amid national security concerns

RIGA, 3 October /ATSH-DPA/ – Around 1.5 million eligible voters in Latvia head to the polls today to elect the new parliament, made up of 100 deputies, at a time when national security concerns and the rising cost of living dominate the public debate.

Polling stations opened at 08:00 (05:00 GMT).

According to polls, around half of the 14 parties and electoral coalitions competing are expected to cross the threshold to enter parliament.

None of them is forecast to secure an absolute majority.

The centre-right electoral alliance “United List,” led by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, leads the polls.

Kulbergs currently heads a governing coalition made up of four conservative and centrist parties.

However, it remains open whether this alliance will continue to govern after the 11th parliamentary elections since Latvia regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

The complex process of forming a new governing coalition had already begun before the vote in this Baltic state, which borders Russia and Belarus.

Kulbergs took office in May, after the previous government collapsed over a dispute related to drone incidents.

Earlier, two Ukrainian drones that had strayed off course crashed near the border with Russia, causing tensions with Moscow.

In Latvia, Russia’s war against Ukraine is considered a direct threat to national security. The drone incidents also reopened sensitive issues, including the use of the Russian language in the country.

Concerned about air threats, the Latvian authorities asked NATO allies for support to guarantee the safe conduct of the elections.

Shortly before voting day, Germany deployed four “Eurofighter” jets to Latvia to protect its airspace.

Latvia is one of Ukraine’s closest partners and supporters.

This stance is expected to remain unchanged after the elections, as is the country’s clear foreign-policy orientation towards the European Union and NATO.