Latvia's government collapses: third PM in sight ahead of elections

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa resigned on May 14 after dismissing Defence Minister Andris Sprūds triggered a political chain reaction. Latvia will now form its 14th government with a new prime minister, less than six months before scheduled elections. Political analyst Veiko Spolitis argues Latvia has fallen behind its Baltic neighbours, but a new government could restore confidence.

Latvia is set to appoint its third prime minister in recent memory after Evika Siliņa announced her resignation on the morning of May 14. The crisis began when Siliņa dismissed Defence Minister Andris Sprūds on May 10, a move that unleashed a political chain reaction forcing her own departure just days later.

## A System Prone to Instability

The collapse is emblematic of a deeper structural problem in Latvian politics. Historically, Latvian governments have lasted an average of just eighteen months — and for the past year, political commentators have been asking not whether Siliņa's government would fall, but when. With the latest resignation, Latvia now faces forming its 14th Saeima government.

Political scientist Veiko Spolitis argues that Latvia has clearly fallen behind its Baltic neighbours Estonia and Lithuania in terms of political stability and governance capacity. The timing makes the situation particularly sensitive: scheduled parliamentary elections are less than six months away, leaving little room to establish effective leadership before voters head to the polls.

## Can a New Government Restore Trust?

Despite the gloomy picture, Spolitis suggests the incoming government has an opportunity to turn the page. A fresh cabinet with a credible programme could help restore public confidence in Latvian institutions — provided it can demonstrate coherence and direction in the limited time available before elections.

For Latvia's Baltic partners and NATO allies, the political turbulence raises questions about the country's ability to sustain momentum on key defence and security commitments at a time of heightened regional tension. How quickly Riga can form a stable government and signal continuity on these issues will be closely watched in Tallinn, Vilnius, and Brussels alike.