Kulbergs: Ministers rate conduct of 15th Saeima election at 9.5 out of 10

Latvia's government reviewed the conduct of the 15th Saeima (parliament) election and the systems that supported it during the closed part of its Tuesday meeting. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (AS) told journalists afterwards that ministers had rated the process 9.5 points out of ten. The assessment matters because the government still has to finish building the election platform and prepare for the next votes.

Ministers considered a final report from the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM) on improving and operating the election platform in the 2026 Saeima election. Kulbergs said neither he nor VARAM minister Edgars Tavars (AS) gave that score; it came from "the other colleagues". He praised the cooperation among the state companies and institutions involved.

A disruptive factor

Kulbergs named one disruptive element: the option to change a vote that had been cast for safekeeping several times, which put extra load on the system. He said this was not a system fault but a matter of the procedure set out in law, which needs amending.

What comes next

The prime minister said work will go on, as five more modules, including a referendum module, remain to be introduced. Preparations are also needed for the municipal and European Parliament elections due in 2029. Although there is enough time, work should start now, Kulbergs stressed. Kaspars Gorkšs, the director of the State Chancellery approved by the government on Tuesday, will take over coordinating the working group among the institutions involved, to ensure the modules are introduced.

Background

The election took place in Latvia on 3 October. The Central Election Commission (CVK) earlier said it had passed off relatively calmly and in an organised way. Vote counting began late because data checks in the Electronic Online Voter Register had to be completed, to make sure votes cast for safekeeping were not counted twice.

The United List won decisively with 41 seats. It was followed by Latvia First with 17, Sovereign Power/Alliance of Young Latvians with 15, the National Alliance and the Progressives with 10 each, and New Unity with seven. Turnout was 51.8%, the lowest since independence was restored.