Ukrainian Drone Intrusion Sparks Political Storm, Latvian Prime Minister Resigns
Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina announced her resignation today following a defense controversy and the loss of a parliamentary majority for the ruling coalition, sparked by a recent incident where a Ukrainian drone invaded and crashed. This effectively dissolves the three-party ruling coalition.
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- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 21:26
- 🔍 Collected: May 14, 2026 at 21:32 (5 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 14, 2026 at 21:39 (6 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Vilnius, 14th) Following a recent incident where a Ukrainian drone invaded and crashed in Latvia, and amidst escalating defense disputes and pressure from the ruling coalition losing its parliamentary majority, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina announced her resignation today, leading to the de facto collapse of the three-party ruling coalition.
One of the catalysts for this political crisis was the recent resignation of former Minister of Defense Andris Spruds. After two Ukrainian drones entered Latvian airspace and struck an oil storage facility, criticism arose as the alarm was only issued via mobile phones after the drones had crashed. Spruds resigned on the 10th at the request of Silina.
The Progressives party, to which Spruds belongs, is a member of the ruling coalition. The party subsequently withdrew its support for the government, causing Silina's government to lose its parliamentary majority and ultimately leading to her decision to resign.
Silina's resignation marks the formal collapse of the ruling coalition, which was composed of the New Unity party, the Greens and Farmers Union, and the Progressives party.
In a post on X, Silina stated that resigning as Prime Minister was a difficult but honest decision. She pointed out that her administration always prioritized national security and the well-being of the people, but in the current political environment, political jealousy and narrow party interests have overridden responsibility.
According to Latvian Public Media (LSM), Andris Suvajevs, leader of the Progressives party, commented that Silina's resignation was the right decision and expressed regret that she blamed other coalition partners for the government's collapse.
Euro News reports that Latvia is expected to hold parliamentary elections in October of this year. Prior to that, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs will be responsible for appointing a new prime minister and is expected to meet with representatives of various political parties on the 15th. (Editor: Tien Jui-hua) 1150514
One of the catalysts for this political crisis was the recent resignation of former Minister of Defense Andris Spruds. After two Ukrainian drones entered Latvian airspace and struck an oil storage facility, criticism arose as the alarm was only issued via mobile phones after the drones had crashed. Spruds resigned on the 10th at the request of Silina.
The Progressives party, to which Spruds belongs, is a member of the ruling coalition. The party subsequently withdrew its support for the government, causing Silina's government to lose its parliamentary majority and ultimately leading to her decision to resign.
Silina's resignation marks the formal collapse of the ruling coalition, which was composed of the New Unity party, the Greens and Farmers Union, and the Progressives party.
In a post on X, Silina stated that resigning as Prime Minister was a difficult but honest decision. She pointed out that her administration always prioritized national security and the well-being of the people, but in the current political environment, political jealousy and narrow party interests have overridden responsibility.
According to Latvian Public Media (LSM), Andris Suvajevs, leader of the Progressives party, commented that Silina's resignation was the right decision and expressed regret that she blamed other coalition partners for the government's collapse.
Euro News reports that Latvia is expected to hold parliamentary elections in October of this year. Prior to that, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs will be responsible for appointing a new prime minister and is expected to meet with representatives of various political parties on the 15th. (Editor: Tien Jui-hua) 1150514