Voters in Latvia handed a clear win to the United List, a center-right party that now looks set to lead the next government. The party won about 35.3% of the vote and 41 of the 100 seats in the Saeima, Latvia's parliament, according to the Central Election Commission's final count. Reuters had earlier projected 42 seats.

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, the party's leader, is on track to keep his job, Reuters and DW reported. He is expected to build a coalition of parties that strongly support Ukraine, with a likely majority of about 59 seats, Latvian public broadcaster LSM reported.

Other parties trailed far behind. Latvia First won 17 seats, Sovereign Power 15, the National Alliance 10, the Progressives 10 and New Unity seven, according to the official results.

The vote matters beyond Latvia's 1.8 million people. The country borders Russia and Belarus, and it is a member of both NATO and the European Union. About a quarter of residents are ethnic Russians, and questions of language, loyalty and security have shaped politics there since independence in 1991.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Latvia has been one of Kyiv's strongest backers, giving a large share of its economy in aid. It has also built fences along its eastern border and increased defense spending.

Kulbergs campaigned on keeping up that support. A coalition still has to be formed, and the new Saeima must approve the government.

What we know: United List won the most seats by far, and Kulbergs is likely to lead the government.
What we don't: Which parties will join his coalition and on what terms.