Latvian leader poised for big win in election shadowed by Putin

Latvian leader poised for big win in election shadowed by Putin

Exit polls show PM Andris Kulbergs’ United List could secure the best result of any party since Latvia gained independence from the USSR

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ party was on course to win the largest share of votes in an election on Saturday amid growing security threats from Russia, putting him in a strong position ahead of coalition talks to form the next government.

The United List secured 35.6 per cent of the vote, according to an exit poll released by LTV public broadcaster. If confirmed, this would be the best result of any party in Latvian parliamentary elections since the Baltic nation regained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Together with two of his current coalition allies – New Unity and the National Alliance – Kulbergs could count on 51 per cent of the vote, according to the poll. The numbers may change as the ballots are tallied, with first figures expected to come in the early hours of Sunday.

The result would mark a major coup for Kulbergs, 47, who became prime minister at the end of May after a bungled response to drone incursions brought down the previous government.