Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina announced her resignation on Thursday following the breakup of her coalition government. In a televised statement, she said: "I am resigning, but I am not giving up."

Silina, of the center-right New Unity party, lost her parliamentary majority on Wednesday when the left-wing Progressive party withdrew its support. This came after the dismissal of Defense Minister Andris Spruds, a Progressive party member, over the handling of stray Ukrainian drones that landed in Latvia.

The drones, reportedly aimed at Russia, strayed into Latvian territory. Several Russian Baltic oil facilities are located near Latvia's borders and the flight path from Ukraine, and drone defense systems can scramble their navigation.

Silina also posted about her resignation online, blaming political opponents for the crisis. "My priority now and always has been the well-being and security of the people of Latvia. Parties and coalitions change, but Latvia remains," she wrote.

Silina had forced Spruds to resign, saying Latvia's drone defense was not deployed quickly enough. She temporarily took on the role of defense minister herself.

Latvian President Edgar Rinkevics, tasked with selecting a new government leader, will meet with all parliamentary party representatives on Friday. Elections were already scheduled for October, but the controversy appears to have triggered an early campaign start.

Source: www.dw.com