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Latvia's parliament approves new government, the first one fell after the Ukrainian drone attack!
2026-05-28 20:56:56 / BOTA
Latvia's parliament, also known as the Saeima, gave the green light today (May 28) to form a new government.
The center-right opposition MP, Andris Kullbergs, was appointed acting prime minister ahead of the October parliamentary elections.
The political change was triggered by the collapse of the previous ruling coalition, which was triggered by recent violations of the country's airspace by Ukrainian drones.
In the corresponding vote in the Saeima, the new four-party center-right majority coalition received the support of 66 out of 96 MPs who voted.
The government consists of Andris Kullberg's United List, the New Unity of outgoing Prime Minister Evika Silina, the National Alliance, and the Union of Greens and Farmers.
Speaking in parliament before the vote, Kullbergs made it clear that security, border protection, the economy and energy are at the top of the government's agenda. Referring to the upcoming elections, he said:
"The world will tell us very soon whether we did well or badly, on October 3rd... the decision will be made for this government."
In their joint statement, the four parties of the coalition government pledged to continue their full support for Ukraine – following the line of the previous leadership – focusing on national defense and “implementing measures that will weaken and isolate Russia.” In addition, the “safe conduct of elections” was identified as a key concern.
In the new government, Baiba Braze holds the portfolio of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Maris Kučinskis, on the other hand, takes over the Ministry of Finance, while Colonel Raivis Melnis takes over the position of Minister of Defense.
It is worth noting that the Progressive Party, which was part of Evika Silina's previous coalition, was left out of the new cabinet, which shifts the government even further to the right.
Tensions on NATO's northern border with Russia have escalated as the appearance of armed Ukrainian drones in Baltic airspace has raised fears of a wider conflict. The incidents have forced residents to take shelter in shelters, while schools and kindergartens have been temporarily closed due to alarms.
The crisis in the Latvian government began on May 7, when a Ukrainian drone hit an empty oil tank inside Latvian territory. The then-Prime Minister, Evika Silina, dismissed the defense minister, accusing him of inadequacy in the military's defensive measures, a decision that ultimately led to the collapse of her coalition government.
The Baltic countries accuse Russia of disrupting the operation of drones and throwing them off course through electronic interference (jamming).
The Kremlin, on the other hand, accuses the Baltic states of allowing Ukrainian drones to be launched on their territory, a claim they categorically deny.
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