Flickr
On Thursday, 28 May 2026, the Saeima expressed confidence in the new Cabinet of Ministers headed by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs at its extraordinary sitting.
The new government, Latvia’s 43rd Cabinet of Ministers, comprises:
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs;
Minister for Defence Raivis Melnis;
Minister for Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže;
Minister for Economics Viktors Valainis;
Minister for the Interior Jānis Dombrava;
Minister for Finance Māris Kučinskis;
Minister for Education and Science Ilze Indriksone;
Minister for Climate and Energy Jānis Vitenbergs;
Minister for Culture Nauris Puntulis;
Minister for Welfare Reinis Uzulnieks;
Minister for Transport Rihards Kozlovskis;
Minister for Justice Edvards Smiltēns;
Minister for Health Hosams Abu Meri;
Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development Edgars Tavars;
Minister for Agriculture Uldis Augulis.
The new government is formed by the following political parties: the United List, New Unity, the National Alliance and the Union of Greens and Farmers.
The new government will focus on the tasks that can be accomplished during the term of the 14th Saeima, with the coalition partners having agreed on a specific list of priority actions. The government’s priorities include strengthening national security, with a particular focus on the secure conduct of elections, combating corruption and cartels, maintaining a stable and responsibly managed state budget, and enhancing Latvia’s economic growth and competitiveness. Particular attention will also be devoted to pressing issues in healthcare, welfare, demography and other sectors.
In its efforts to strengthen public safety and resilience, the new government emphasizes its full support for the defence and home affairs services, border reinforcement, air defence, and the strengthening of Latvia’s internal and external security. The government will allocate 5% of GDP to defence, with a particular focus on developing Latvia’s domestic defence industry and technologies in cooperation with its closest allies. The Cabinet of Ministers will continue its efforts to expand the presence of NATO allied forces in Latvia and will assess opportunities for additional EU funding for defence. The government also remains committed to providing comprehensive support to Ukraine.
The government declaration provides for clear oversight by the Prime Minister of nationally significant processes and the management of major projects. The Prime Minister will directly oversee preparations for the Saeima elections to ensure their secure and lawful conduct. The Prime Minister will lead the development of a model for further implementation of the Rail Baltica project. As regards the stabilisation of airBaltic as a company of strategic importance to Latvia’s economy, the company’s business plan will be assessed by August this year and a decision will be taken on the future course of action.
Safeguarding the principles of a democratic state governed by the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, the new government will take firm action against economic crime, corruption, cartels and sanctions violators, applying the full rigour of the law.
In the social sphere, the government plans to expand support for families, introduce a basic pension and increase healthcare funding. In the field of education, the government will continue reforms to improve the quality of education, implement the new “Programme at School” funding model, and advance work on the implementation of the teachers’ pay scale.
Particular attention will also be given to strengthening Latvia’s economic security and global competitiveness, including by supporting the targeted entry of Latvian businesses into international markets, developing a strategic proposal for economic cooperation with the world’s leading economies, and preparing a state-owned enterprise governance model.
The new government also expresses its clear commitment to defending Latvia’s interests in negotiations on the European Union’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034, with a particular focus on securing funding that reflects current geopolitical realities in the areas of security and defence, regional and transport infrastructure development, and agriculture.
The coalition partners have undertaken to act responsibly within the limits of the state budget and to support only those budget-related proposals in the Saeima and the Cabinet of Ministers that have been agreed by all coalition partners. They have also agreed to uphold the standards already achieved in the areas of human rights, combating violence, gender equality and the legal protection of families.
The Government’s Declaration and the Cooperation Agreement are available on the Cabinet of Ministers’ website.
Photos from the extraordinary sitting of the Saeima, at which a vote of confidence was held on the Cabinet of Ministers formed by Andris Kulbergs, are available in the Flickr gallery:
28.05.2026 Approval of the 43rd Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia by the Saeima.
