Latvia's Prime Minister resigns over Ukraine Russia drone incidents
The resignation comes as the Defence Minister was fired after the Prime Minister stated anti-drone systems had not been deployed fast enough
www.independent.co.ukHere’s what I can share right now about Evika Siliņa’s resignation in Latvia.
Direct answer
- Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa announced her resignation in mid-May 2026, triggering the collapse of the governing coalition ahead of the October elections. This development followed a dispute within the coalition over the handling of a defence/drone incident and led to a rapid reconfiguration of Latvia’s political leadership.[1][3][4][8]
Context and key details
- What happened: Siliņa stated she would step down, saying political infighting and party interests had overridden responsibility, effectively ending the current coalition government. This aligns with coverage describing a “shock resignation” and the coalition’s collapse.[8][1]
- Why it happened: The resignation followed tensions over the dismissal of the Defence Minister amid drone-related incidents, a contentious move that fractured coalition support.[3][7][1]
- Consequences: The president was set to consult all parliamentary factions to form a new government, with elections already on the horizon in October 2026.[1][8]
- Related context: Reports note corruption investigations involving senior Latvian politicians during this period, contributing to the overall political climate surrounding the resignation.[8][1]
Key sources you can consult for full details
- Coverage describing the resignation and coalition collapse, including statements from Siliņa and the subsequent political maneuvers,.[1][8]
- Background on Evika Siliņa’s role and prior positions in Latvia’s government.[2]
- Additional reporting on the drone incident, defence ministry dynamics, and reactions from other political actors in Latvia,,.[4][7][3]
If you’d like, I can summarize the latest developments in a brief timeline or pull quotes from the main articles to highlight the sequence of events. I can also compile a quick digest in Latvian or English, or create a short, shareable briefing for your Marseille-based team.