Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina has resigned. Her government collapsed after a dispute over stray Ukrainian drones. The crisis began last week. Silina fired Defence Minister Andris Spruds. She cited his response to the drone incident. Two drones had crashed in eastern Latvia. Spruds's political party then withdrew support. This caused Silina's governing coalition to fall apart.
The political turmoil stemmed from three drones entering Latvian airspace on May 7. This was the second such event in 2026. Both Latvia and Ukraine admitted the drones might be Ukrainian. They were possibly targeting Russia. Jammed signals may have caused them to stray. One drone crashed. Another hit an empty oil storage facility. The third drone entered and exited Latvian airspace. No one was injured. However, local people complained about a slow official response. The cell broadcast alert system was delayed. Silina stated that "something went wrong." She felt the situation could not continue. She asked Spruds to resign due to wider issues in the defence sector. She noted Latvia spends 5% of its GDP on defence. This requires high public trust and clear results.
Latvia, which feels threatened by Russia, has increased defence spending. It dedicates 5% of its GDP to national defence. This is a significant commitment for a small nation. The country has also reintroduced compulsory military service. This move followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Silina became prime minister in September 2023. She led a four-party coalition. Her government strongly supported Ukraine. The Baltic states, including Latvia, are increasingly concerned about potential Russian aggression.
President Edgars Rinkevics will decide on a new government. He will make his decision on May 15. The situation highlights the delicate balance in the region. Security concerns are paramount for Latvia. The political instability could affect its defence readiness. It could also impact its international alliances. The upcoming election in October will be closely watched.