Latvia

Latvia is a Baltic state, a member of the European Union and NATO. They are a parliamentary democracy, representing 1.8 million people, with 24% of them being ethnically Russian. During the dissolution of the Soviet Union, they were among the first Soviet republics to gain independence. After gaining independence, they immediately passed resolutions protecting equal rights for citizens of all nationalities. Under Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, the first female head of state in the former Soviet bloc, they completed the initiative to join the EU and NATO. The Latvian parliament has never had an outright majority, and they have historically relied on coalition governments. Importantly, Latvian parties have maintained a cordon sanitaire, excluding pro-Russian parties from governing coalitions.

They recently had an election on October 3rd, 2026. The United List, a centrist party, swept the election on a platform focused heavily on national security, commitment to NATO and Ukraine, economic reform, and Rural Development. As with the other Baltic Nations, a key issue is integrating Russians within the Latvian state. Alternative Populist parties, such as Latvia First and Sovereign Power, a Latvian and Latvian-Russian Alt-Right party, respectively, are also growing as opposition voices; however, the United List can form a government with either the National Alliance, a conservative party, or The Progressives, a social-democratic party. Either way, this election maintains Latvia's position as a Western ally amid worries about Russian influence inside and outside the country.