Latvia’s ruling coalition expected to shut out Russia-leaning party

A party mainly backed by ethnic Russians won the largest number of votes in Latvia’s parliamentary elections this weekend, but is likely to be shut out of government after fears over a resurgent Kremlin dominated the campaign.

The Harmony party, led by the mayor of Riga, Nils Ushakov won 23 per cent of the votes in the elections, while the coalition of three current ruling parties had 56 per cent between them.

After the Kremlin's actions in Ukraine and increased rhetoric about protecting Russians abroad, there have been concerns among the Latvian elite that the country's large Russian-speaking minority could be used to give Moscow a foothold in the small Baltic state.

Harmony favours closer ties with Moscow, while maintaining Latvia's Nato and EU membership.

The results will give Harmony 25 seats in the 100-seat chamber, a loss of six from the previous parliament, in which it was also the largest single party. Other parties are reluctant to enter a coalition with what is seen as the “Russian party”. – (Guardian service)