Latvia’s Central Election Commission has released provisional results from the municipal elections held on June 7, painting a patchwork of outcomes across the country that largely reflect local dynamics.

One notable national trend: voter turnout rose significantly, reaching 47% compared to just 34% in the 2021 elections. While still under half of eligible voters, the increase suggests a growing interest in local governance.

In the capital, Rīga, the contest proved especially compelling. The populist Latvia First party and the progressive-leaning Progressives emerged as the leading forces. With both operating on opposite sides of the political spectrum, the results signal an imminent period of complex coalition talks, as no single party is in a position to govern alone – a familiar scenario in the city’s political scene.

Across the rest of Latvia, the results defied any clear national pattern. Local personalities and regional issues continued to dominate voter decisions, maintaining the fragmented political landscape typical of municipal elections.

However, the night was not without disruption. For the first time, Latvia employed automatic vote counting machines, but serious technical malfunctions forced a return to manual counting. On Sunday morning, CVK chair Kristīne Saulīte confirmed on Latvian Television that the machines, provided by the State Digital Development Agency (VDAA), underperformed.

“They did not function as intended, so a decision was made to proceed with manual counting,” Saulīte said.

She promised a thorough investigation to determine the causes of the failure, emphasizing that all aspects would be examined. Saulīte acknowledged that if the Commission is found to have fallen short of its responsibilities, she is prepared to step down.

Offering an apology to both voters and polling staff, Saulīte stated: “The public deserves full transparency. I’m sorry to all election commissions and polling stations. No one wanted these technical problems. More time and effort were required, and it created uncertainty. But the counting will be completed soon.”

In a separate development, the State Police confirmed that six criminal proceedings have been initiated under Article 90 of the Criminal Law, concerning deliberate interference with citizens’ voting rights.

Voters can check their local election results through the CVK website: https://dati.cvk.lv/PV2025/en/