Latvian Government Collapses After Drone Incidents; Opposition Leader Tapped as PM
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics nominated opposition leader Andris Kulbergs to form a new government after Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned, triggering the collapse of her coalition. The crisis was sparked by Silina’s dismissal of Defense Minister Andris Spruds following two Ukrainian drones straying into Latvian airspace from Russia and exploding at an oil storage facility. The Progressives party withdrew support, stripping Silina’s majority. Kulbergs, of the United List, has ten days to assemble a cabinet ahead of October elections, prioritizing national security amid regional tensions.
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Latvian Opposition Lawmaker Andris Kulbergs Moves to Form New Government After Coalition Collapse
Latvian opposition lawmaker Andris Kulbergs of the United List announced on May 25, 2026, that he aims to form a four-party majority government following the collapse of the ruling coalition earlier this month. The coalition fell apart after a dispute over the government's handling of repeated Russian drone incursions into Baltic airspace, which have increased as Ukraine intensifies attacks on targets inside Russia. Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned, triggering the collapse just five months before a scheduled general election. Kulbergs, tasked by President Edgars Rinkevics with forming a new cabinet, stated that the four partners have agreed on a division plan based on equal terms. The proposed centre-right cabinet would require parliamentary approval, with a vote possible as early as this week. National security is expected to remain a top priority, as Latvia and other Baltic states maintain a hard line on Russia over the war in Ukraine. Silina's government will remain in a caretaker role until a successor is sworn in.
The Straits Times World NewsLatvian Government Collapses Following Drone Incidents and Coalition Dispute
The Latvian government has collapsed following a series of drone incursions into its airspace, which served as the catalyst for existing political tensions. After a drone violated airspace near the Belarusian border, Defense Minister Andris Sprūds resigned to preempt dismissal. Subsequent disagreements within the three-party coalition regarding his successor led Prime Minister Evika Siliņa to resign, thereby dissolving the cabinet ahead of an anticipated vote of no confidence. While security failures triggered the immediate crisis, the coalition was already fractured by internal disputes and corruption scandals, including the recent arrest of Agriculture Minister Armands Krauze. The Progresīvie party’s withdrawal from the alliance ultimately sealed the government's fate. President Edgars Rinkēvičs has tasked Andris Kulbergs, leader of the centrist United List, with forming a new government within ten days. Kulbergs emphasized national security as the top priority amidst the ongoing instability. This political upheaval occurs just months before Latvia’s scheduled parliamentary elections in October, highlighting the fragility of the current political landscape and the intense pressure on leadership to maintain stability in the face of external security threats and internal governance challenges.
Aktuell - FAZ.NETLatvia’s President Taps Opposition Leader to Form New Government After Drone Incident Resignation
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has nominated opposition leader Andris Kulbergs to form a new government following the resignation of Prime Minister Evika Silina. Silina stepped down after losing her parliamentary majority when her coalition partner, The Progressives, withdrew support. This political collapse was triggered by a security incident where two Ukrainian drones stray from Russia into Latvian territory, exploding at an oil storage facility. Silina had previously dismissed Defense Minister Andris Spruds, citing a failure to ensure safe skies. Kulbergs, who leads the United List, the largest opposition bloc, now has ten days to assemble an enlarged coalition cabinet. His proposed government must still secure approval from the Latvian parliament to take office. Kulbergs aims to administer the country until scheduled parliamentary elections on October 3. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in the Baltic region, with similar drone intrusions reported in Estonia and Lithuania. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised to send experts to help strengthen Latvia's air defenses. This development marks a significant shift in Latvia's political landscape amid regional tensions.
Al Jazeera – Breaking News, World News and Video from Al JazeeraConservative Andris Kulbergs Tasked with Forming New Latvian Government After PM Resigns
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has appointed conservative opposition member Andris Kulbergs to form a new interim government until the legislative elections in October. This decision follows the resignation of Prime Minister Evika Silina, whose centrist coalition collapsed after she lost the support of a pivotal partner. The crisis was triggered by Silina's dismissal of the defense minister, who was held responsible for failing to prevent recent incursions by Ukrainian drones into Latvian airspace. Kulbergs, a former businessman elected under the Conservative United List ticket, has declared national security his top priority, emphasizing Latvia's role within the EU and NATO. He aims to build a broad coalition among the six parties represented in Parliament, all of which have expressed openness to dialogue. The drone incidents, occurring in March and May 2026, caused minor damage but highlighted significant gaps in the Baltic state's air defense capabilities near its borders with Russia and Belarus. Kulbergs has ten days to present his proposed cabinet.
Le Monde.fr - Actualités et Infos en France et dans le mondeLatvian President Proposes Opposition Lawmaker as Next Prime Minister
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has nominated opposition lawmaker Andris Kulbergs as the candidate for the next prime minister following the resignation of Evika Silina. Silina stepped down on Thursday, causing her coalition government to collapse just months before the October elections. The crisis was triggered by Silina's dismissal of Defence Minister Andris Spruds after two Ukrainian drones strayingly entered Latvian airspace from Russia and exploded at an oil storage facility. The Latvian military failed to detect the drones, leading Silina to blame Spruds for insufficient anti-drone defenses. In response, Spruds' Progressives party withdrew its support from the coalition, stripping Silina of her parliamentary majority and exposing her to a no-confidence vote. Kulbergs, representing the United List, which is the largest opposition bloc in parliament, will assume office if approved by lawmakers. President Rinkevics stated that given recent events, the new prime minister should come from opposition parties. This development highlights ongoing security challenges in NATO member states bordering Russia.
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