Key Takeaways
- Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned after her coalition partner, the Progressives Party, withdrew support, leaving her without a parliamentary majority.
- The resignation followed the forced exit of Defence Minister Andris Sprud over the government’s handling of multiple incursions by suspected Ukrainian drones into Latvian airspace.
- Silina criticised the defence leadership for failing to guarantee “safe skies,” linking the drone incidents to Russian electronic warfare that allegedly diverts Ukrainian munitions.
- The political crisis comes just months before Latvia’s general elections in October, prompting President Edgars Rinkevics to begin consultations for a new government.
- Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha offered assistance to the Baltic states and Finland to prevent future drone mishaps, attributing the incursions to Russian electronic‑interference tactics.
Announcement of Resignation
Latvian centre‑right Prime Minister Evika Silina announced her resignation on Thursday, May 14 2026, in a televised address. She stated that she was stepping down because her governing coalition had lost its parliamentary majority after the Progressives Party, a left‑leaning partner, withdrew its support. Silina emphasized that while she was resigning from office, she remained committed to serving Latvia’s interests and would continue to advocate for the country’s well‑being and security.
Coalition Breakdown with the Progressives Party
The immediate trigger for Silina’s departure was the decision by the Progressives Party to pull its backing from the government. The party, which had been part of a fragile centre‑right/centre‑left coalition since Silina assumed office in 2023, cited growing dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of national security issues, particularly the recent drone incursions. Without the Progressives’ seats, Silina’s cabinet no longer commanded a majority in the Saeima (Latvian parliament), making it impossible for her to continue governing effectively.
Silina’s Televised Statement
In her televised remarks, Silina struck a defiant yet conciliatory tone, declaring, “I am resigning, but I am not giving up.” She acknowledged the trust placed in her by the Latvian electorate and reiterated that her responsibility to society outweighed personal political ambitions. Silina also expressed confidence that Latvia would endure beyond any individual leader, framing her resignation as a principled step to allow for a more stable governmental arrangement moving forward.
Defence Minister’s Resignation and Drone Incidents
The resignation came just days after Defence Minister Andris Sprud, also a member of the Progressives Party, was forced to step down. Sprud’s departure followed mounting criticism of the government’s response to a series of drone sightings over Latvian territory. Silina publicly said that Sprud had lost both her trust and that of the populace, arguing that the defence leadership had failed to uphold its pledge of “safe skies over our country.”
The May 7 Drone Incursion
On May 7, two unmanned aerial vehicles suspected to be of Ukrainian origin entered Latvian airspace. One of the drones crashed at a fuel storage facility, raising alarms about potential hazards to critical infrastructure. Although no casualties were reported, the incident highlighted gaps in Latvia’s detection and interception capabilities, prompting urgent calls from opposition parties and security experts for a review of national air‑defence protocols.
Broader Pattern of Drone Activity in the Baltics
The May 7 event was not isolated. Since March 2026, multiple Ukrainian‑origin drones intended for Russian targets have veered off course and struck various Baltic states, as well as other European nations. Analysts suggest that the drones, while launched by Ukraine, are being subjected to Russian electronic‑warfare measures that disrupt their navigation systems, causing them to stray into neighbouring airspace. This pattern has intensified concerns about spill‑over effects from the ongoing Ukraine‑Russia conflict.
Domestic Criticism and Security Concerns
The repeated drone incursions have sparked domestic criticism of Latvia’s ability to respond to emergent military threats. Opposition legislators and civil‑society groups have argued that the government underestimated the risk posed by unmanned systems and failed to invest adequately in counter‑drone technology, radar upgrades, and rapid‑response air‑defence units. Public opinion polls conducted in early May showed a noticeable dip in confidence regarding national security, adding pressure on Silina’s administration.
Upcoming Elections and Presidential Role
Silina’s resignation arrives just months before Latvia’s general elections scheduled for October 2026. Under the constitution, President Edgars Rinkevics is now tasked with consulting party leaders to identify a candidate capable of forming a new government. The president’s meetings, set to begin Friday, will likely focus on finding a coalition that can secure a parliamentary majority while addressing the security shortcomings exposed by the drone incidents.
Silina’s Continued Commitment
Despite stepping down, Silina took to social media platform X to reaffirm her dedication to Latvia. She wrote, “My priority has always been, and remains, the well‑being and security of Latvia’s people. Parties and coalitions change, but Latvia endures. And my responsibility to society comes above all else.” The message was intended to reassure citizens that her departure does not signal a retreat from public service but rather a strategic move to allow for more effective governance.
Ukrainian Offer and Russian Electronic‑Warfare Claim
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to the crisis by offering assistance to the Baltic states and Finland to prevent similar drone mishaps. In a statement on Sunday, Sybiha asserted that the incursions were “the result of Russian electronic warfare deliberately diverting Ukrainian drones from their targets in Russia.” He proposed joint technical cooperation, including sharing of counter‑drone intelligence and coordinated monitoring efforts, to mitigate the risk of further accidental incursions into NATO airspace.
Implications and Outlook
The resignation of Prime Minister Evika Silina marks a pivotal moment for Latvian politics, underscoring how external security challenges can rapidly destabilize domestic coalitions. As the country approaches its electoral contest, parties will need to articulate clear strategies for bolstering air‑defence capabilities, managing relations with both Ukraine and Russia, and maintaining public trust. The outcome of the presidential consultations and the subsequent formation of a new government will determine whether Latvia can effectively address the drone threat while navigating the broader geopolitical repercussions of the Ukraine conflict.