Geopolitical events
On October 3, 2026, Latvia concluded its parliamentary election, resulting in a decisive victory for incumbent Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs's centrist, pro--Ukraine United List party. United List secured 35.3% of the vote and 42 seats in the 100--member Saeima, outperforming the populist Latvia First party, which finished second with 13.1%. The election outcome solidifies Latvia's fiscal and security policy, which maintains national defense expenditure at 5% of gross domestic product—among the highest levels within NATO—and prioritizes anti--drone border infrastructure amid sustained regional geopolitical tensions linked to the war in Ukraine.