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Latvia’s Kulbergs Faces Divided Electorate in Pro-Ukraine Election
Latvia is holding an election while people disagree about how much Russia threatens the country.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs supports Ukraine and wants Latvia to spend more on defense and anti-drone systems.
His party is leading the polls, but it is expected to win only a small share of the vote.
A pro-Russian party wants Latvia to stop helping Ukraine and improve relations with Russia.
Some Russian-speaking Latvians are unhappy with rules requiring more use of the Latvian language.
Other voters worry more about their daily lives and the cost of living.
Officials say Russia has carried out hybrid attacks in Europe, but Russia denies making such efforts.
Because many parties may win seats, forming a new government could be difficult.
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ United List leads polls before Latvia’s national election, with 14.4% support.
Kulbergs has pledged unwavering support for Ukraine and increased anti-drone capabilities amid airspace incursions.
The pro-Russian Sovereign Power party is polling second at 9.4% and opposes assistance to Ukraine.
Latvia’s Russian-speaking minority remains divided over language policies, Russia’s war and economic concerns.
Coalition-building is expected to be difficult, with seven parties projected to enter parliament and many voters undecided.
- Who
- Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, his United List party, competing political parties and Latvia’s voters.
- What
- Latvia is holding a national election expected to test support for its pro-Ukraine policies and shape its next coalition government.
- Where
- Latvia, including the capital Riga and the eastern city of Daugavpils near Belarus and Lithuania.
- When
- Voting is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, with initial results expected within hours and the outcome likely clear after midnight.
- Why
- The election is taking place amid concerns about Russian aggression, airspace incursions, the war in Ukraine, language policies and domestic economic pressures.
Pro-Ukraine security approach
Russia-focused pragmatism
Support for Ukraine
Pro-Ukraine security approach
Kulbergs says Latvia must provide unwavering support to Ukraine and continue investing in defense.
Russia-focused pragmatism
Sovereign Power says Latvia should stop supporting Ukraine’s war effort and prioritize peace.
Perception of Russia
Pro-Ukraine security approach
Kulbergs and other officials view Russia as a threat and cite hybrid attacks and airspace incidents as reasons for stronger defenses.
Russia-focused pragmatism
Sovereign Power says accusations against Russia are baseless, while some voters and parties say Russia should be treated more pragmatically.
Language and domestic priorities
Pro-Ukraine security approach
Latvian authorities have adopted policies limiting Russian influence in public life, including Latvian-language requirements.
Russia-focused pragmatism
Critics of those policies want language requirements removed and argue that money should support elderly people and local residents rather than Ukraine.
Key facts
- Leading party
- Andris Kulbergs’ centrist United List is polling at 14.4%.
- Second-place party
- The pro-Russian Sovereign Power is polling at 9.4%.
- Expected parliament
- Seven parties are expected to win seats.
- Population
- Latvia has a population of about 1.9 million.
- Russian-speaking population
- Ethnic Russians account for about one-third of Riga’s population and half of Daugavpils’ residents.
- Election outlook
- Kulbergs is considered likely to retain power, but forming a coalition may be difficult.
- Security concerns
- Officials have linked drone incursions and broader hybrid threats to Russia, while Russia rejects the accusations.
Quotes
Julia Stepanenko
Leader of the pro-Russian Sovereign Power party
“A pretty large part of society does not perceive Russia as a threat, they do not understand why the government is investing big money in defence … They are mistaken.”
theprint.in
“The Ukraine war has divided our society. A lot of people do not share the same outlook.”
theprint.in
Sources
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