Latvia's pro-European ruling party wins election as populists gain ground

Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' centre-right United List party has won the Baltic state's parliamentary election, preliminary results showed Sunday. With more than 99.9 percent of votes counted, the United List led with 35.4 percent, according to state television. In the 100-seat parliament, Kulbergs' United List party secured 42 seats, a record for the post-independence history of the former Soviet republic, local media reports. The results point to a continued pro-European and pro-Ukrainian course for Latvia. Kulbergs, who became prime minister only in May, said the result was higher than expected and matched the lead shown in exit polls.