More than a third of the voters were still undecided or did not want to vote. Pollsters and experts expect a fragmented parliament.
Overshadowed by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and concerns about rising energy costs, Latvia elected a new parliament on Saturday. According to the electoral commission in Riga, almost a quarter of the 1.5 million eligible voters in the Baltic EU and NATO country cast their votes by midday. 19 parties are running for election. The first results are expected on Sunday night.
In polls before the election, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins’ liberal-conservative Jauna Vienotiba party was ahead. Karins currently leads a four-way coalition of conservative parties and centrist forces. It is questionable whether this alliance will remain in power. Pollsters and experts expect a fragmented parliament in the Baltic Republic with a Russian minority. Latvia is a neighboring country of Russia.
“I voted for a safe and stable Latvia,” Karins said after casting his vote. He showed himself ready to lead the coming government. According to surveys, between seven and twelve parties could hope to enter parliament.
More than a third of the voters were still undecided or did not want to vote. President Egils Levits therefore called on his compatriots to exercise their right to vote.
The election campaign was dominated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which Latvia sees as a direct threat to national security. This also raised some thorny issues in Latvia. These include the use of the Russian language, the loyalty of ethnic Russians in Latvia and a debate on the national culture of remembrance. Many citizens in the country with 1.9 million inhabitants are also very concerned about the sharp increase in energy prices and high inflation.
Latvian Electoral Commission
Source: Stern
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