Latvian PM faces bittersweet victory in election backdropped by Russia
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs faces a challenging election as his coalition struggles to maintain a parliamentary majority. The campaign is heavily influenced by geopolitical tensions, specifically regarding EU sanctions on Russia and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Why it matters
The election results will determine Latvia's future stance on EU-Russia relations and the stability of the Baltic region's political alignment.
An EU sanctions showdown could strengthen the position of Andris Kulbergs, but a coalition puzzle awaits.
Copy Link Copied Share via email Share on X Share on WhatsApp Share on LinkedIn Andris Kulbergs was asked to form a new cabinet of ministers in May. | Gints Ivuskans/AFP via Getty Images October 3, 2026 4:00 am CET By Koen Verhelst and Max Griera RIGA — Latvia’s populist Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs will face his first electoral test Saturday — but his head start in the polls is unlikely to shield him from coalition headaches in a contest where Ukraine and Russia are looming large.
After a campaign partially fought in Brussels’ corridors, Kulbergs could see two of his allied parties fail to reach the 5% threshold to get seats. And if his centrist allies fail to make it into parliament, the pro-Ukraine prime minister might struggle to get enough backing.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in