Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa Resigns Amid Coalition Crisis and Drone Incident Fallout

Evika Siliņa has announced her resignation after the collapse of her coalition government, following weeks of political tension over the handling of suspected Ukrainian drones that entered Latvian airspace.

The centre-right leader, who has served as prime minister since 2023, made the announcement in a televised address on Thursday after the The Progressives, a key coalition partner, withdrew its support and left the government without a parliamentary majority.

“I am resigning, but I am not giving up,” Siliņa said, emphasizing that her commitment to the country’s security and well-being remains unchanged.

The resignation comes just months before Latvia’s general elections scheduled for October, creating political uncertainty in the Baltic nation at a time of heightened regional security concerns linked to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Drone Incidents Trigger Political Crisis

The immediate catalyst for the government’s collapse was controversy surrounding several drone incidents involving unmanned aircraft believed to be launched from Ukraine and diverted into Latvian territory.

On May 7, two suspected Ukrainian drones entered Latvia, with one crashing at a fuel storage facility. The incidents sparked criticism over Latvia’s air defense readiness and the government’s ability to protect national security.

Days earlier, Siliņa had dismissed Andris Sprūds, the country’s defense minister and a member of the Progressives Party, saying he had lost her confidence and that of the public.

“The political leadership of the defence sector has failed to fulfil its promise of safe skies over our country,” Siliņa said when announcing Sprūds’s removal.

The dismissal deepened tensions within the coalition and ultimately led the Progressives to withdraw support, forcing the prime minister to step down.

President to Begin Consultations

Edgars Rinkēvičs will now begin consultations with parliamentary parties to identify a new prime minister capable of forming a government.

The president is expected to meet with party representatives on Friday to discuss possible coalition arrangements.

In a message posted on X, Siliņa wrote that her foremost responsibility remains the safety and prosperity of the Latvian people.

“Parties and coalitions change, but Latvia endures,” she said.

Regional Security Concerns Intensify

The drone incidents in Latvia are part of a broader pattern affecting several Baltic and Nordic countries. Since March, multiple drones linked to the conflict in Ukraine have entered neighboring states, raising concerns over airspace security and electronic warfare.

Andrii Sybiha said the incursions were likely caused by Russian electronic warfare systems that diverted Ukrainian drones away from intended targets inside Russia.

He offered technical cooperation to Latvia, Finland, and other countries to help prevent similar incidents in the future.

Election Campaign Takes New Turn

Siliņa’s departure reshapes Latvia’s political landscape ahead of the October elections. Her resignation underscores the delicate balance facing Baltic governments as they navigate domestic politics while responding to growing security threats in the region.

Despite stepping down, Siliņa indicated she intends to remain active in public life and continue advocating for national security and democratic stability.

As President Rinkēvičs begins the process of forming a new government, Latvia enters a critical period with both political leadership and regional security under intense scrutiny.

Courtesy: aljazeera