Latvia prime minister's New Unity party wins general election — early results
The centre-right New Unity party of Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš won Saturday's election, according to provisional results, with its 19% of the vote putting him in a position to head another coalition government.
The results - with 91% of districts counted - mean Latvia should remain a leading voice alongside its Baltic neighbours Lithuania and Estonia in pushing the European Union for a decisive stance against Russia.
Kariņš' party was again the party with the most support following the election. Members of the current coalition were on track to receive 42 seats in the 100-seat parliament, so Kariņš needs to draft additional allies to stay as a prime minister.
As many as nine parties won sufficient votes to gain seats in parliament.
After a campaign dominated by security concerns following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Kariņš told Reuters he will be working to craft a coalition of like-minded parties.
"I am convinced that we will be able find such a solution," he said early on Sunday.
"First and foremost on everyone's minds is how we all get through the winter, not only in Latvia but throughout the EU, and that we all remain united behind Ukraine, and do not waiver in the face of difficulties for us," said Kariņš.
The result should mean Latvia remains a leading voice alongside its Baltic neighbours Lithuania and Estonia in pushing the European Union for a decisive stance against Russia.
The first Latvian head of government to serve through a full four-year term, Kariņš, a 57-year-old dual US and Latvian citizen, has benefited from his Moscow policy, which included restricting the entry of Russian citizens travelling from Russia and Belarus.
"I see no chance that any government in Latvia will stop supporting Ukraine -
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