RIGA — Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs was set to retain power and form a pro-Ukrainian coalition after his centrist United List secured the biggest parliamentary election victory since Latvia regained independence in 1991.
\n\nWith 97% of ballots counted after Saturday’s election in the NATO and European Union country bordering Russia, United List was on 35.3%, enough for 42 seats in the 100-seat parliament.
\n\nA businessman and amateur rally driver, Kulbergs, 47, came to power in May after the previous coalition crumbled over its handling of incidents in which stray Ukrainian military drones flew undetected into Latvia.
\n\nLatvia’s economy has underperformed its Baltic neighbours for more than a decade and Kulbergs has vowed to improve governance, cut red tape and reduce public spending, political scientist Roberts Kits said.
\n\n“Kulbergs played on being a get-things-done type of guy and has persuaded the voters that he can do things differently, bring some fresh energy,” he said.
\n\n“This means the responsibility is huge. People expect him to deliver, but the question remains whether he has the team to do it.”
\n\nUnited List appeared able to secure a parliamentary majority with either the nationalist National Alliance or the liberal Progressives, Kits said.
\n\nKulbergs pledged…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/