The centre-right Unity party’s celebrations appeared premature as it emerged that the pro-Russian Harmony party clinched the top spot in Latvia’s parliamentary elections.

The centre-left group received 23.3 percent of the votes, while the prime minister Laimdota Straujuma’s party received 21.6 percent but she remain unflustered.

“The coalition could remain the same. We will meet with coalition partners and negotiate.”

That coalition of Unity, Union of Greens and Farmers, All for Latvia-For Fatherland and Freedom collectively received a larger share of the votes at 21.6, 19.7 and 16.5 per cent respectively than in 2011. Giving them a good foundation to retain their position, despite Harmony’s victory.

The result highlighted the divisions in Latvia where ethnic Russians make up 21 percent of the electorate.

The Harmony party leader claimed he should have the first attempt to form the government, however, the three-party ruling coalition look set to continue perhaps with the addition of a fourth party to boost their numbers.