RIGA – Kulbergs is set to assume the role of Prime Minister of Latvia, leading a four-party coalition government designed to prioritize national security and border defense.
The new administration follows the collapse of the center-right government led by Prime Minister Evika Siliņa in May 2026. That administration fell after significant political backlash erupted following the strike of Latvian oil facilities by two stray Ukrainian drones.
The reorganization reflects a broader strategic pivot within the Baltics to address “drone spillover” from the conflict in Ukraine, as NATO members in the region report an increase in airspace breaches and stray munitions.
New Cabinet Appointments
The coalition incorporates figures from across Latvia’s fragmented political landscape to ensure stability and secure a working majority in the 100-seat Saeima, Latvia’s parliament. Key portfolio assignments include:
- Finance Minister: Former Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis
- Education Minister: National Alliance official Ilze Indriksone
- Foreign Minister: Baiba Braže, who will remain in her current office
- Defense Minister: Colonel Raivis Melnis
The appointment of Colonel Raivis Melnis has drawn scrutiny because he is currently an active-duty military officer. Under standard governance protocols in NATO democracies, placing an active officer in charge of the armed forces is considered a controversial move, raising questions about civilian control of the military.
To resolve the conflict and remain consistent with the constitutional principle of civilian oversight embedded in the Satversme, Latvia’s Constitution, Melnis has pledged to officially leave the military before the parliament conducts its vote on the cabinet.
Strategic Focus on Drone Warfare
The selection of Melnis is a direct response to the security failures that led to the previous government’s collapse. Kulbergs cited Melnis’ specific operational experience with Ukraine and his role in shaping counter-drone doctrine within the Latvian armed forces as the primary drivers for the appointment.
“No one in the world right now is as prepared with defense solutions for what currently threatens us most – drones,” Kulbergs said.
The focus on drone countermeasures is intended to mitigate the risk of further incidents on Latvian soil, which have intensified fears across the Baltic states regarding the unpredictability of the war in Ukraine. Officials say early priorities for the new cabinet will include integrated air-and-missile defense, enhanced cross-border data sharing with NATO allies, and accelerated procurement of electronic warfare capabilities.
Latvian policymakers also view the drone threat as a test of the country’s ability to implement NATO standards on airspace management, including tighter coordination between civilian aviation regulators and the defense establishment.
Coalition Formation Process
President Edgars Rinkēvičs initiated the process by asking Kulbergs to lead government talks following the May 2026 political crisis. Under Latvia’s parliamentary system, the president nominates a candidate for prime minister, who must then assemble a coalition agreement and secure a majority in the Saeima.
Kulbergs announced the formal plans for the four-party coalition on May 25, 2026, after more than a week of negotiations over ministerial posts and the governing program. The agreement reportedly locks in elevated defense spending and a fast-track timetable for upgrading airspace surveillance, including long-range radar coverage along NATO’s eastern border.
The new government is expected to prioritize defense spending and the modernization of airspace surveillance as Latvia manages growing instability on NATO’s eastern flank. A draft coalition program under discussion would tie future procurement decisions explicitly to joint planning with NATO and the European Union’s emerging drone and air-defense initiatives, according to officials familiar with the talks.
The cabinet now awaits a formal vote of confidence from the parliament, which will determine whether Kulbergs can move from crisis management to implementing a long-term security and governance agenda.
