LATVIANS VOTE FOR NEW PARLIAMENT

RIGA, OCTOBER 3 /SRNA/ - Parliamentary elections are being held in Latvia today, with around 1.5 million Latvians eligible to vote.

These are the country’s 11th parliamentary elections since it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Four Eurofighter jets have been deployed over Latvia during the elections.

The elections, in which 14 parties are competing for 100 seats in parliament under a proportional representation system, are taking place amid rising living costs and national security concerns.

Latvia’s incumbent Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has been in office only since May, after the previous government collapsed over a dispute concerning Ukrainian drones, Deutsche Welle reports.

His conservative centre-right coalition, the United List, led opinion polls ahead of the vote, but it is expected to emerge weakened as populist parties gain strength, Euronews reports.

Many Latvians complain about high prices and low wages; the economy has slowed, the healthcare system is under strain, and emigration and an ageing population remain persistent challenges.

Populist movements such as the Union of Sovereign Forces/Young Latvians and the Latvia First party have sought to capitalize on the discontent by taking a less hardline stance towards Moscow and arguing that a complete economic decoupling from Russia is actually harmful.

Polling stations opened at 8:00 a.m. local time this morning and will close at 8:00 p.m.