RIGA – Latvia's municipal elections held on Saturday highlighted an increasing fragmentation in the political landscape, particularly in the capital city, where no party emerged as a clear victor.

With a population of approximately 1.87 million, Latvia's capital, Riga, is home to nearly 600,000 residents, making the election results there pivotal for understanding national trends.

Preliminary results from the Central Election Commission indicate that the far-right populist party Latvia First secured the lead in Riga with 18.2% of the vote.

This party has garnered notable support among the country's Russian-speaking minority communities.

In a closely contested race, the centre-left Progressives followed in second place, obtaining 16.64% of the vote, while the conservative National Alliance came in third with 14.13%.

Seven parties have successfully gained council seats in Riga, suggesting complex coalition negotiations ahead.

Viesturs Kleinbergs, the lead candidate of the Progressives, commented on the situation, indicating that coalition discussions would be necessary.

In efforts to form a coalition that excludes Latvia First, the Progressives may collaborate with the National Alliance, New Unity conservatives, and the pro-business United List.

Ainārs Šlesers, leader of the Latvia First party, voiced skepticism about the likelihood of collaboration between his party and the National Alliance under the Progressives' leadership, pointing out the challenges such an alliance would face.

The outcomes of the municipal elections could have ramifications for the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2026, as the success of the Latvia First party may influence its positioning in national politics.

If Latvia First maintains its momentum, attempts to exclude it from coalition negotiations could complicate potential alliances, particularly between the National Alliance and the Progressives within the Saeima, Latvia's parliament.

The elections also showcased a trend of smaller parties gaining traction, which further diversifies the political landscape, though incumbent mayors in significant cities, including Daugavpils and Liepāja, managed to retain their positions.

However, the electoral process faced challenges, notably an overloaded automated vote-counting system that necessitated a manual recount across the country.

This situation delayed the release of final results and raised questions about electoral procedures.

Despite the Central Election Commission reporting an optimistic increase in voter turnout — rising to 47.09% compared to 34% in the previous elections in 2021 — the overall participation level remained low.