Two weeks after election, Kulbergs has yet to meet Saeima factions

Two weeks after Latvia's 15th Saeima (parliament) election, Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, whose party the United List (AS) won the most votes, has not yet set a schedule of meetings with the newly elected parliamentary factions. This means talks on forming the new government have not officially begun. The news agency LETA was told so by the prime minister's communications adviser, Elīna Šverna.

The Kulbergs calendar circulated at the weekend for the coming week lists no meetings with the parties. Asked about planned talks, Šverna said there was no schedule yet. Earlier this week the prime minister told journalists that the timetable was to be made public on 19 October. According to him, the talks are meant to discuss plans for the country's development and change. Kulbergs stressed that he is currently discussing substantive priorities rather than the distribution of posts.

Election results

The election took place on 3 October, and the Central Election Commission (CEC) officially confirmed the results on 15 October. AS received 35.3% of the vote and will hold 41 seats. Latvia First (LPV) placed second with 13.1% and 17 seats, followed by Sovereign Power/Alliance Young Latvians (SV/AJ) with 11.71% and 15 seats. The National Alliance (NA) won 8.9% and ten seats, the Progressives 7.88% and ten seats, and New Unity (JV) 6.36% and seven seats.

The Union of Greens and Farmers received 4.4%, missing the 5% threshold, and did not enter the Saeima.

The number of seats won by AS is the highest for any political force in Saeima elections since independence was restored. By comparison, Latvia's Way won 36 seats in 1993, Unity 33 in 2010, and Harmony 31 in the 2011 snap election. Turnout was 51.8%, the lowest since independence was regained.

Possible appeals

Within three working days of the vote-count protocol being approved, results could be contested at the CEC, but no such applications were received. One candidate filed a complaint after the deadline, so it was left without action. Submitters of candidate lists and nominated candidates now have three working days to appeal the results in court.