Dissatisfied Latvians turn to newcomers in parliamentary election

Election officials open ballot box during a general election in Riga, Latvia October 6, 2018. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

RIGA (Reuters) - Dissatisfied Latvians rejected the right-of-centre ruling coalition in Saturday's parliamentary election but suspicion of the left-leaning pro-Russia party makes it likely the next government will be another formation of ethnic Latvian parties to the right.

The result means a confirmation of the European Union and NATO member's role as a bulwark against Russia in the increasingly hostile relationship between the West and President Vladimir Putin.