Latvia’s political landscape was rocked this week as Prime Minister Evika Silina announced her resignation, a dramatic move triggered by a series of stray Ukrainian drones crossing into Latvian territory and exposing vulnerabilities in the country’s air defenses. The political fallout, which unfolded just months ahead of October’s general elections, has left the Baltic nation in a state of uncertainty and searching for new leadership.
Silina, who led Latvia’s center-right government since August 2023, stepped down on May 14, 2026, after her coalition lost its parliamentary majority. The immediate cause? The withdrawal of support by the left-leaning Progressive party, a key coalition partner, following her sacking of Defense Minister Andris Spruds. According to AP, the Progressives’ departure left Silina’s government with just 41 seats in the 100-seat parliament, prompting opposition parties to threaten a vote of confidence.
The controversy began escalating earlier this month. On May 7, two suspected Ukrainian drones, reportedly targeting Russia, veered off course and entered Latvian airspace. One of these drones crashed at a disused oil storage facility in eastern Latvia, causing a fire but no casualties. As FRANCE 24 reported, the drones were believed to have been electronically diverted by Russian forces, a claim echoed by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who stated the incidents were “the result of Russian electronic warfare deliberately diverting Ukrainian drones from their targets in Russia.”
This was not the first such incident. Since March, multiple Ukrainian drones headed for Russia have inadvertently hit territories in the Baltic region, including Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. In one previous episode, a Ukrainian drone crashed in Latvia on March 25, 2026. These repeated breaches have stoked fears about the effectiveness of Latvia’s air defense systems and the government’s ability to protect its citizens from spillover effects of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The pressure on Silina intensified after the May 7 incident. Critics argued the government’s response was too slow and highlighted what they saw as systemic weaknesses in Latvia’s defense sector. Silina herself publicly blamed Defense Minister Spruds, saying, “The political leadership of the defense sector has failed to fulfill its promise of safe skies over our country.” She further elaborated that Latvia’s anti-drone systems had not been deployed quickly enough to counter the incursions, a point that resonated with many Latvians concerned about national security.
Facing mounting criticism, Silina demanded Spruds’ resignation, which he tendered on May 11. She then proposed a military officer as his replacement, but the Progressive party—Spruds’ political home—rejected the candidate and accused Silina of making Spruds a scapegoat. In protest, nine Progressive members quit the coalition, effectively collapsing the government.
In a televised address, Silina acknowledged the gravity of the situation: “I am resigning, but I am not giving up.” She emphasized her ongoing commitment to Latvia’s security, adding, “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.” According to AP, Silina’s government will remain as a caretaker administration until a new prime minister is appointed.
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics, tasked by the constitution to select a new head of government, is set to meet with representatives from all parliamentary parties on May 15. The stakes are high, with October’s general elections looming and public confidence in the government shaken. The latest SKDS/LSM poll, cited by FRANCE 24, shows the Progressives as the second most popular party with 6.9 percent approval, narrowly ahead of Silina’s own New Unity alliance at 5.9 percent. The opposition Latvia First party leads with 8.9 percent, but a significant 26.1 percent of voters remain undecided.
The drone incidents have not resulted in any casualties, but they have laid bare the challenges Latvia faces as a frontline state in the shadow of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022, both Russian and Ukrainian drones have crashed in the Baltic states, underscoring the region’s vulnerability to the conflict’s unpredictable spillover effects. Latvia, which shares a border with Russia, has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, but now finds itself grappling with the direct consequences of the war next door.
In response to the security crisis, Ukraine has offered assistance to Latvia and other Baltic states. President Volodymyr Zelensky, following talks with President Rinkevics at a summit in Bucharest on May 13, pledged to send Ukrainian experts to help Latvia strengthen its air defenses. “Ukraine will work with Latvia to build a multi-layered air defense system against different types of threats,” Zelensky said, as reported by FRANCE 24. Rinkevics confirmed that a “long-term” air defense agreement would be prepared, signaling a deepening of cooperation between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the political turmoil in Riga has attracted attention across Europe. The collapse of Silina’s government is a stark reminder of the broader instability wrought by Russia’s war in Ukraine—not only on the battlefield, but within the political systems of neighboring countries. “The brutal war waged by Russia in Ukraine has changed the security situation throughout Europe,” Silina noted, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the conflict.
Latvia’s recent history has been marked by political flux. Silina herself came to power after the resignation of her predecessor, Krisjanis Karins, in August 2023. Her coalition, which included the center-right Unity party, the left-leaning Progressives, and an agrarian party, had already been under strain over various issues before the drone crisis tipped the balance.
As the country prepares for new leadership, the question of how to bolster Latvia’s defenses and restore public trust remains paramount. The government’s handling of the drone incidents has become a central issue for voters, and the outcome of the upcoming elections may well hinge on which party can best reassure Latvians that their skies—and their sovereignty—will be protected.
With President Rinkevics set to consult all parliamentary factions, and Ukraine offering technical support, Latvia stands at a crossroads. The next steps its leaders take will determine not only the shape of the next government, but also the country’s ability to respond to the ever-present threats on its eastern border. For now, Latvians are watching closely, hoping that the lessons of recent weeks will lead to stronger defenses and a steadier hand at the helm.