Latvian PM Silina Resigns After Coalition Collapse Over Drone Firings

Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina resigned Thursday after her governing coalition collapsed, triggered by her dismissal of Defence Minister Andris Spruds.

Silina fired Spruds last week after two drones crashed in eastern Latvia. She criticized his response to the incident and named a replacement.

Spruds's Progressives party pulled its support from Silina's coalition in protest. The move caused the coalition to fall apart months before the planned general election in October.

"Seeing a strong candidate for the post of defence minister... political windbags have chosen a crisis," Silina said. "I am resigning but I am not giving up."

The political fallout stemmed from three drones entering Latvian airspace on May 7, the second such incident since the start of 2026.

Both Latvia and Ukraine said the drones could have been Ukrainian UAVs aimed at Russia. Jamming of their signals caused them to stray into Latvia.

One drone crashed on the ground. Another hit an empty oil product storage facility near Rezekne. The third entered and exited Latvian airspace.

No casualties or injuries occurred. Local residents told media the official response was delayed and inadequate. They said the cell broadcast alert system was not activated for an hour after one drone crashed near Rezekne.

Silina said after the incident, "Something went wrong. We cannot afford for this situation to continue."

She also asked Spruds to resign due to broader issues in the Latvian defence sector.

The Baltic country spends 5 percent of its GDP on national defence, Silina noted. That level, she said, demands "a much higher level of responsibility toward society... that requires clear results."