Latvia votes in tense poll as Russian threat shapes campaign

Latvia is voting for a new parliament as Andris Kulbergs seeks a full term. The result will shape the country's response to regional security risks and coalition instability.Riga,Oct 3, 2026 13:58 ISTLatvia voted on Saturday to elect a new parliament, with Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs seeking a full term at a time of rising concern over possible Russian aggression. The election is taking place as the Baltic country on NATO's eastern flank remains firmly supportive of Ukraine in its war against Moscow's invasion.The vote follows political turmoil earlier this year, when a crisis in May over the handling of stray drones suspected to have come from Ukraine led to the collapse of the previous governing coalition. A four-party coalition led by Kulbergs of the centrist United List party, which had earlier been in opposition, was later approved by parliament.Kulbergs, 47, is now seeking his own mandate from voters. In Latvia's fragmented political landscape, a multi-party coalition is almost certain to be needed again to form a government. Parties must secure at least 5 per cent of the vote to win seats in the 100-member Saeima, the country's single-chamber parliament.Nearly 1.56 million people in the country of more than 1.8 million are eligible to vote for a four-year term. Latvia, like its Baltic neighbours Lithuania and Estonia, has strongly backed Ukraine. It also shares borders with Russia and Belarus, a close ally of Moscow. Concern over possible Russian hybrid attacks has been growing in parts of Europe in recent months. These include non-conventional hostile acts such as sabotage, cyberattacks and disinformation. Latvia, like other countries on NATO's eastern edge, is seen as particularly exposed. NATO has strengthened protection of Latvian airspace during the election period, with Germany sending four Eurofighter jets to Latvia for about a week.Last week, the Latvian State Security Service said it had not detected any significant or systematic attempts by Russia or others to influence the election in favour of any party or candidate, according to the LETA news agency. Polls were expected to close at 1700 GMT, with the election unfolding against a backdrop of political instability, regional security concerns and the likelihood of another coalition government. With PTI Inputs- Ends