Latvia's centre-right Prime Minister Evika Silina announced her resignation on Thursday, prompting the collapse of her coalition government just months ahead of the October election.
Resignation Statement
"I am resigning, but I am not giving up," Silina declared in a televised statement. The move leaves the Baltic nation in political uncertainty as it navigates security concerns linked to the war in Ukraine.
Political Aftermath
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, constitutionally responsible for appointing a government leader, will convene all parliamentary parties on Friday to discuss the way forward. Silina, leader of the centre-right New Unity party, lost her ruling majority in parliament on Wednesday when the left-wing Progressives party withdrew its support.
Triggering Incident
The Progressives' decision came after Defence Minister Andris Spruds was dismissed over the weekend. The firing stemmed from his handling of incidents involving stray Ukrainian drones that entered Latvian airspace from Russia. These events have heightened tensions in the region, emphasising the spillover effects of the ongoing conflict.
Silina's resignation marks a significant political shift in Latvia, with the country now facing early elections or a new coalition formation before the scheduled October vote.
