Polls open in Latvia against backdrop of perceived Russia threat

Latvia is not expected to shift its pro-Europe and pro-Ukraine trajectory, but coalition negotiations could be complex.Polls have opened in Latvia for an election taking place against the backdrop of perceived security threats from Russia and a nationwide cost-of-living squeeze.Saturday’s vote is the first electoral test for Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs after coming to power in May this year when his predecessor resigned due to a backlash from stray drone incursions from Ukraine.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3NATO jets scramble as Russian missile detonates in Polandlist 2 of 3Russia says hit Ukrainian railway and port facilities in new strikeslist 3 of 3Estonia accuses Russia of arson attack on defence firm supplying Ukraineend of listKulbergs, whose right-wing United List party is currently polling at about 20 percent, is expected to hold onto his position, but the decline of two allies in his current coalition means he is set for a complicated negotiation over the makeup of any future government.Polls opened at 05:00 GMT and will close at 17:00 GMT. The results are not expected to change Latvia’s pro-European and pro-Ukrainian course.A woman holds an election campaign leaflet of the Latvia-first" class="entity-link entity-organization" data-entity-id="212950" data-entity-type="organization">Latvia First party with a picture of the party’s leader, Ainars Slesers, before the general election [File: Ints Kalnins/Reuters]About 1.5 million people are eligible to vote in the country’s 11th parliamentary election since independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.Latvian politics are highly fragmented, with parties rarely seeing above 20 percent vote share and coalitions being the norm.This year, 14 electoral lists are contesting the election, but polls indicate only seven are likely to enter parliament, with the rest expected to fail to meet the minimum 5 percent vote threshold.Rising living costs, low wages, strains on the healthcare system and long-term population decline have all featured prominently in campaign debates.