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Latvian coalition set for victory Latvian coalition retains power
(about 23 hours later)
Latvia's governing coalition appears set to remain in power after winning more than 40% of the vote, according to exit polls. Latvia's governing coalition has become the first administration to win re-election since it became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991.
It is Latvia's first general election since joining the EU and Nato in 2004. Final results from the general election give the coalition, led by Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis, just enough seats to form a parliamentary majority.
Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis is said to have celebrated the preliminary results as a sign of victory. The three-party governing bloc won 51 of the 100 seats in parliament.
An exit poll by the Leta news agency gave the opposition party New Era 19% and the recently-formed Harmony Centre party 11% of the vote. Saturday's election was the first since Latvia joined the European Union and Nato two years ago.
The same poll showed the prime minister's People's Party winning 18.5%, but with its two coalitions partners support grew to 45.2%. The prime minister's People's Party led the poll with 23 seats, while coalition partners the Union of Greens and Farmers won 18 seats and the First Party won 10 seats.
Another poll by Latvian Television said the ruling coalition had won 43.3%. The centre and moderacy seem to be the order of the day in these elections Latvian PresidentVaira Vike-Freiberga
Low voter turnout Liberal opposition party New Era won 18 seats and the recently-formed Harmony Centre party won 17 seats.
Mr Kalvitis said it would not be clear until the final results on Sunday as to whether the coalition would need an additional partner for a majority. "I'm ready to continue to lead the government," Mr Kalvitis told AFP news agency, adding that the governing coalition would meet on Monday to discuss whether to invite any other parties to join.
"The exit poll results show a victory for the coalition. It shows that the people have supported the existing government," he told the Reuters news agency. 'A positive change'
Around 60% of Latvia's electorate are estimated to have cast their ballots in the vote. The BBC's Laura Sheeter in Riga says the close result and low voter turnout are being seen as a sign that Latvian politics are becoming more stable, with few extreme parties or crucial issues dividing the electorate.
In the last election, in 2002, the turnout was more than 71%. The turnout was just over 60% - a record low compared with the last election in 2002, when the turnout was more than 71%.
Correspondents had been predicting a low voter turnout due to a lack of major issues and a campaign marred by corruption scandals. The Latvian President, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, said the result was a positive change: "The centre and moderacy seem to be the order of the day in these elections."
Mr Kalvitis promised to continue close relations with the West if victorious. Latvia has had 12 different governments in the 15 years since it regained its independence from the Soviet Union.
This is the fifth general election Latvia has held since it became independent from the Soviet Union 15 years ago. Latvia is the EU's poorest country but it also the fastest-growing economy. Mr Kalvitis promised to continue close relations with the West if victorious.