Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' centrist, pro-Ukraine United List won Saturday's parliamentary election by an unexpectedly wide margin, taking about 37% with roughly half the votes counted, according to preliminary results.
The populist, MAGA-style Latvia First party — which courted the country's substantial ethnic Russian minority — trailed far behind at about 13%, followed by the Progressives at around 11%.
Reacting to the results, Kulbergs said he hoped to remain prime minister but ruled out governing with Latvia First. "It's remarkably good. I was not expecting such result," he said in Riga, adding that voters want "economic growth" and "a future for Latvia's children." With one coalition partner, the Union of Greens and Farmers, falling below the 5% threshold to enter parliament, he'll have to build a new governing coalition.