From Dw · · 1m 30s
Latvia votes in parliamentary election
Latvia's parliamentary election sees rising costs and security fears shape voting.
In brief
Latvia's parliamentary election sees rising costs and security fears shape voting. Latvia holds 11th parliamentary election with 1.5 million eligible voters amid rising living costs and Russia concerns. Originally reported by Dw.
Polls open in Latvia
Polls opened in Latvia on Saturday with 1.5 million people eligible to vote in the country's 11th parliamentary election since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
Election dominated by costs and security
The election, which sees 100 seats in the Saeima being contested by 14 parties using a proportional system, has been dominated by rising living costs and national security concerns in the small Baltic country which borders both Russia and Belarus.
Prime Minister Kulbergs coalition weakened
Latvia's current prime minister, Andris Kulbergs, has only been in office since May after the previous government collapsed over a dispute about Ukrainian drones.
Populist parties gain support
His center-right, conservative United List alliance was leading in the polls ahead of the vote, but his coalition is expected to emerge weakened as populist parties gain.
Russia's security threat
Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine is seen as a direct threat to national security in Latvia which, like Ukraine, is a former Soviet state with a sizeable ethnic Russian and Russian-speaking minority.
Latvia's defense spending
Unlike Ukraine, however, Latvia is a member of both the European Union and NATO and has committed itself by law to spending at least 5% of GDP on defense, leaving less room for spending elsewhere.
At a glance
Latvia holds 11th parliamentary election with 1.5 million eligible voters amid rising living costs and Russia concerns.
