Poll: Seven parties could enter Latvia's Saeima, as airBaltic secures new bridge financing deal

This week's key developments in Latvia span both politics and business.

airBaltic agrees on new financing

National airline airBaltic has reached an agreement with some of its existing bondholders and third-party financiers on terms for new bridge financing worth up to €257 million. The deal still requires approval from the remaining bondholders and shareholders before it can take full effect. The financing is intended to strengthen the company's liquidity and provide resources to carry out its new business plan. The funds are to be raised through the issuance of new bonds maturing on 26 February 2027. Notably, the interest rate has been set at a steep 25% per year, reflecting the high cost of borrowing the airline currently faces.

Poll signals shifts in the political landscape

A survey conducted by the social research agency Latvijas Fakti indicates that if elections were held soon, seven political parties could win seats in the Saeima. The poll puts the United List in the lead with 15.6% support, followed by the Latvia First party with 8.3%, the National Alliance with 7.3%, the Progressives with 7.1%, the Union of Greens and Farmers with 6.9%, the Sovereign Power/New Latvians alliance with 6.3%, and New Unity with 5.95%.

Researchers note that these results differ from the regularly published SKDS polls due to differences in methodology. Compared with SKDS data, this survey shows lower support for Sovereign Power/New Latvians, while the Union of Greens and Farmers clears the electoral threshold by a wider margin.