Latvia’s Dombrovskis Rewarded With Win After Austerity

Latvians returned Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis to office with an increased mandate even after unemployment more than doubled and average wages dropped almost 14 percent since he took office 19 months ago.

Rather than punish Dombrovskis in Oct. 2 elections, voters rewarded him for following through on pledges to cut spending to secure international loans and save Latvia from bankruptcy. His three-party coalition will have 63 seats in the new parliament, compared with 45 of 100 today.