Today, on 3 October 2026, polling stations opened in Latvia for voting in the parliamentary elections — the Saeima. Citizens are electing 100 deputies for a four-year term.
The vote is taking place in the shadow of recent drone incidents and growing hybrid activity against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, who came to power in May after the collapse of the previous coalition, is leading his centrist party, the United List.
Polls give the United List around 14 percent of the vote. Second place, not far behind, is held by the openly pro-Russian party Sovereign Power.
14 lists and 1428 candidates are taking part in the elections. According to forecasts, about seven parties should clear the five-percent threshold, including the populist Latvia First and the left-wing Progressives.
Polling stations are open from 8 in the morning until 8 in the evening. The first results are expected this evening, and the final ones after midnight. Forming a coalition promises to be difficult because of strong fragmentation.
How will the outcome of the vote affect the country's security and its course of support for Ukraine? The question remains open until the votes are counted.
Observers note that the current government, despite leading in the polls, is unlikely to keep the current coalition composition. Negotiations could drag on for weeks.
The elections are taking place in five constituencies: Riga, Vidzeme, Latgale, Kurzeme and Zemgale. Votes cast abroad are counted in the Riga constituency.