Latvians went to the polls Saturday to elect a new Parliament as Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, a pro-Ukraine leader, seeks a full term amid growing concerns over potential Russian threats. The vote comes against the backdrop of heightened regional tension on NATO’s eastern flank, where Latvia shares borders with Russia and Belarus, the latter aligned with Moscow.

The election follows a political crisis in May, triggered by disputes over the handling of stray drones suspected to have come from Ukraine. This incident contributed to the collapse of the previous governing coalition, already weakened by multiple issues. Subsequently, the Saeima approved a new four-party coalition headed by Kulbergs and his centrist United List party, which previously served in opposition.

Kulbergs, 47, hopes to secure a clear mandate to continue his government’s approach to defense and economic policy. Speaking after casting his ballot in Riga, he described a strong economy as essential for a robust defense strategy, emphasizing the need for continued reforms. “Our party is ready to make changes,” he said, noting the mission for the next four years would be to put Latvia on the right track in both economic and security matters.

Latvia’s political landscape remains fragmented, making the formation of a multiparty coalition almost inevitable. Parties must surpass the 5 percent vote threshold to gain seats in the 100-member Saeima, which serves a four-year term. Voters expressed a desire for democratic participation and stable governance. Janis Artis Briedis, who voted in the capital, said he wanted to see democracy in action, while another voter, Reinholds Pirags, acknowledged the challenges ahead but expressed hope for a coalition capable of making “nationally correct decisions” on defense and the economy.

Regional security concerns are acute, as Latvia and its Baltic neighbors confront the prospect of Russian hybrid warfare, which includes sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and other unconventional tactics. NATO has bolstered its protective presence over Latvian airspace during the election period, with Germany deploying four Eurofighter jets to the country for approximately one week as a precaution.

Despite these tensions, Latvia’s state security service reported that it had not detected significant or systematic efforts by Russia or other actors to influence the election in favor of any party or candidate, according to the LETA news agency. Official election results are expected to be announced early Sunday.