Latvia parliament approves new government after drone row topples coalition

RIGA - Latvia's parliament on Thursday approved the formation of a new government, making centre-right opposition lawmaker Andris Kulbergs prime minister ahead of an October election, after recent drone incursions that brought down the ruling coalition.

In the Saeima, 66 members out of the 96 votes cast supported the centre-right four-party majority coalition made up of Kulbergs' United List, former Prime Minister Evika Silina's New Unity, the National Alliance and the Greens and Farmers' Union.

Security is high on the incoming government's list of priorities, including for Latvia's borders, the economy and energy, Kulbergs told parliament ahead of the vote.

"People will very quickly tell us whether we have done well or done poorly, the October 3 (general election) ... will be the verdict on this government," he said.

The four parties in a joint statement pledged to continue the previous government's support for Ukraine, and to focus on national security and "implementing measures to weaken and isolate Russia".

(Reporting by Janis Laizans in Riga and Andrius Sytas in Vilnius, writing by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Terje Solsvik)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 10:28 AM.