By Andrius Sytas and Terje Solsvik
RIGA, Oct 3 (Reuters) – Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs’ centrist, pro-Ukraine United List appeared ahead in parliamentary elections on Saturday, exit polls showed, with many voters on edge amid warnings of potential Russian aggression.
An exit poll by Latvian public broadcaster LSM showed United List winning 35.6% of votes, followed by the populist, MAGA-style Latvia First at 11.3. The grouping had courted the country’s ethnic Russian minority in the run-up to the vote.
Baltic countries have warned for months Russia is mounting sabotage, cyber- and other hybrid attacks across Europe to erode support for Ukraine and sow fear, although Western officials dismiss concerns it is capable of launching a direct assault on NATO, of which Latvia is a member.
Russia says such accusations are baseless and the result of anti-Russian hysteria.
“We cannot be the weakest link. We have to be strong. All of the Eastern Flank, same unity. So that’s what we are striving for. We are Europe’s outside border, which has to be strong,” Kulbergs said in Riga earlier on Saturday as he cast his vote.
(Editing by Justyna Pawlak, Timothy Heritage and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.