The liberal-conservative party of Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, Jauna Vienotiba, won parliamentary elections in Latvia, a member of the EU and NATO. With 18.9 percent of the vote, the party emerged as the winner of the vote, as data from Riga’s electoral commission showed this morning after counting in nearly 95 percent of all polling stations.
Jauna Vienotiba is a member of the EPP Group in the European Parliament. The election was overshadowed by Russia’s war in Ukraine and concerns about rising energy costs.
The second strongest force will be the opposition alliance of farmers and greens (12.8%) ahead of the newly formed United List electoral alliance (11.0%). According to the information, only one of Karins’ three coalition partners made it safely to parliament: the national-conservative National Alliance (9.3%). While the conservative clearly missed the five percent barrier, the liberal For Development/Para! right above him.
Eight parties managed to enter
With the remaining votes in the Baltic Republic counting, the balance of power could still shift. The opposition Harmonie party, in particular, is confident of this. The hitherto strongest political force in Latvia is currently only 4.8%. The party, whose core voters come mainly from the strong minority of Russian origin and which won the most votes in the last elections, is the big loser of the vote.
A total of eight parties made it to the Saeima parliament. In addition to the United List, there are three other new groups. After the vote, Karins was ready to lead the next government. However, difficult coalition negotiations are expected.