STORY: Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' centrist, pro-Ukraine United List party was seen winning Saturday's parliamentary election by an unexpectedly wide margin, exit polls showed, with many voters on edge amid warnings of potential Russian aggression.

An exit poll by Latvian public broadcaster LSM showed United List winning 35.6% of votes, followed by the populist, MAGA-style Latvia First at 11.3%. Latvia First had courted the country's substantial ethnic Russian minority in the run-up to the vote.

Kulbergs said in a speech to supporters, that people understood that change was needed in Latvia.

"Things simply cannot go on this way. Despite all the mudslinging and public discourse during the election campaign, I see a great deal of positive support. Voters—regardless of political affiliation—realize that the country cannot continue to be governed in this manner."

Baltic countries have warned for months that Russia is mounting sabotage, cyber- and other hybrid attacks across Europe to erode support for Ukraine and sow fear, although Western officials dismiss concerns it is capable of launching a direct assault on NATO, of which Latvia is a member.

Russia says such accusations are baseless and the result of anti-Russian hysteria.

Reacting to the exit poll reading, Kulbergs said he hoped to remain prime minister, but said he would not want to govern with Latvia First. If exit polls were confirmed by official results, he would still need coalition allies to form a government.

Third in the exit poll ranking was the Progressives party, on 11.3%, followed by the overtly pro-Russian Sovereign Power with 10.8%.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: RIGA, LATVIA (OCTOBER 3, 2026) (REUTERS - Access All)

1. VARIOUS OF LATVIAN PRIME MINISTER ANDRIS KULBERGS IN CONVERSATION

2. AUDIENCE APPLAUDING

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Latvian) LATVIAN PRIME MINISTER ANDRIS KULBERGS SAYING:

"People believe in and understand that change is needed in Latvia. Things simply cannot go on this way. Despite all the mudslinging and public discourse during the election campaign, I see a great deal of positive support. Voters—regardless of political affiliation—realize that the country cannot continue to be governed in this manner."

4. AUDIENCE APPLAUDING

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Latvian) LATVIAN PRIME MINISTER ANDRIS KULBERGS SAYING:

"If we are given this opportunity—if the President entrusts us with forming a government and we have coalition partners ready to commit to such changes—then we will succeed. After all, there is strength in a team, and the team must provide support throughout this entire period, just as it has over these past four months."

6. AUDIENCE WITH KULBERGS' WIFE, ANNA KULBERGA, APPLAUDING

7. KULBERGS BEING APPLAUDED

8. VARIOUS OF APPLAUSE

9. BALLOT BOX BEING EMPTIED ON TABLE

10. ENVELOPES WITH BALLOTS ON TABLE

11. VARIOUS OF ENVELOPES BEING SORTED

12. ENVELOPES ON TABLE

13. VARIOUS OF ENVELOPES BEING SORTED