Latvia's Kulbergs Moves to Form New Coalition Government

A Four-Party Deal Takes Shape
Kulbergs, who leads the United List — the largest opposition bloc in the Latvian parliament — confirmed on Monday that his team had reached a framework agreement to form a four-party majority government. Speaking at a press conference, he described the process as straightforward, saying the four partners agreed to move forward on equal terms and with simple, shared principles guiding the arrangement.

He was given this responsibility by President Edgars Rinkevics following the sudden collapse of Prime Minister Evika Silina's coalition earlier this month. Silina stepped down after a serious disagreement within her government over how it managed repeated Russian drone incursions into Latvian airspace. The timing made the situation all the more urgent — the collapse came just five months ahead of a scheduled general election. Silina's administration will continue in a caretaker capacity until a new government is officially sworn in.

National Security at the Center
President Rinkevics indicated that a parliamentary vote on the new government could happen as early as this week. If lawmakers approve Kulbergs and his proposed centre-right cabinet, Latvia will have a new prime minister in short order.

National security is almost certain to top the agenda for any incoming administration. Latvia, like its Baltic neighbors, has been on high alert in recent months as Russian drone activity near the Baltic Sea has intensified, coinciding with Ukraine's increased strikes on targets deep inside Russian territory. All three Baltic states are NATO members and close supporters of Kyiv, and they have been among the most vocal critics of Moscow's actions in Ukraine. That position is unlikely to soften under new leadership.