00:00Polls opened on Saturday in Latvia's parliamentary election, shaped by concerns over neighboring Russia and the cost-of-living crisis.
00:09Some 1.5 million people are eligible to cast their ballots in the parliamentary polls, Latvia's 11th since gaining independence
00:17from the Soviet Union in 1991.
00:20Fourteen parties are in the run for 100 seats in the Saima, using a proportional system.
00:27Some polls predict the center-right United list, led by Prime Minister Andrzej Kulbergs, will emerge the largest party in
00:35parliament in Saturday's vote.
00:38Latvia is a key pillar of NATO's eastern defensive flank, and experts say there is widespread support for Ukraine in
00:46the war with Russia.
00:48But, similar to other parts of Europe, the Baltic state has seen the rise of populist parties.
00:54According to polls in the lead-up to the election, the Sovereign Power Party, critical of aid to Ukraine and
01:00increasing military spending, was projected to reach second place in parliament.
01:05Preliminary official results are due on Sunday.
