Experts: New Coalition Could Include Two or Three Parties

Preliminary results from Latvia's parliamentary election confirm that voters opted for change, but not a radical one, political analysts said on the morning of Sunday, October 4.

According to their assessment, a new governing coalition could theoretically be formed by just two parties — the United List (AS) and the National Alliance (NA). However, such a coalition would hold only a slim majority in parliament, which could make governing less stable.

Three-party option seen as more likely

For that reason, analysts consider a broader, three-party coalition the more realistic scenario, with New Unity (JV) joining AS and NA. A three-party alliance would secure a larger and more stable majority in the new Saeima compared to a two-party arrangement.

The assessments were made based on an analysis of the first election results on Sunday morning and reflect analysts' initial read on the likely distribution of power in the new parliament. The final shape of the coalition will depend on negotiations between the parties, which typically follow the official confirmation of election results.