Latvia’s Prime Minister Evika Siliņa resigned on Thursday after a coalition partner withdrew support following a political dispute over Ukrainian drones that crossed into Latvian territory. Moreover, the crisis escalated quickly as tensions grew inside the ruling alliance, which lost its parliamentary majority and triggered a leadership breakdown in Riga.
Earlier, Ukraine reported that Russian electronic interference diverted attack drones across the border, causing them to crash in Latvia on May 7. One drone ignited a fire at a disused oil storage site in eastern Latvia, which raised serious security concerns and prompted urgent government action.
Defence Row and Political Fallout
Siliņa dismissed Defence Minister Andris Sprūds on Sunday, arguing that Latvia failed to deploy anti-drone systems quickly enough to prevent the intrusion. However, this decision intensified internal conflict, as nine lawmakers from the Progressive Party resigned from the coalition and accused Siliņa of scapegoating Sprūds.
Subsequently, Sprūds formally stepped down, while Siliņa attempted to restore stability by proposing a military officer as his replacement. Nevertheless, the Progressive Party rejected the nominee, which further deepened the political crisis. As a result, the government dropped to just 41 seats in the 100-seat parliament, while opposition parties prepared a no-confidence vote ahead of national elections.
Security Concerns and Next Steps
Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Armands Krauze faced temporary detention during an anti-corruption investigation into state support for forestry firms, which added further pressure on the administration.
Siliņa, who led the Unity party government since September 2023, announced her resignation and emphasized national security and public welfare as her top priorities. Additionally, she acknowledged that Russia’s war in Ukraine has significantly changed Europe’s security environment and increased regional risks.
President Edgars Rinkēvičs will now meet political leaders to form a new government. Furthermore, Ukraine and Latvia agreed to strengthen air defence cooperation, including plans for a multi-layered protection system against drone threats.
