Given the antagonism that surfaces with relative frequency between Latvia and Russia regarding the Soviet ‘occupation’ during World War Two and other historical quagmires, it may have come as a surprise to see that Harmony, the pro-Moscow party which has links to United Russia, has gained the most votes of any party in the Baltic state’s snap election.  The New York Times suggests however that the reasons for the victory may not so much the lure of the Kremlin as low turn out and generalized domestic disgruntlement:

[C]ontinued worries about Latvia’s economy, and, perhaps more importantly, anger with a government that many say is beholden to wealthy businessmen, have pushed many Latvians to seek alternatives, even if it means moving closer to Russia and its rich, oil-fueled economy.