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Presidium of the Saeima the Work of the Saeima Is Managed by Its Presidium, Which Is Elected from Among the Mps at the Beginning of the Saeima’S Term of Office

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Presidium of the Saeima the Work of the Saeima Is Managed by Its Presidium, Which Is Elected from Among the Mps at the Beginning of the Saeima’S Term of Office Presidium of the Saeima The work of the Saeima is managed by its Presidium, which is elected from among the MPs at the beginning of the Saeima’s term of office. The Pre- sidium consists of five MPs. Current- ly, the Speaker is Ināra Mūrniece, the Deputy Speakers are Dagmāra Beitnere-Le Galla and Inese Lībiņa- Egnere, the Secretary is Andrejs Kl- ementjevs and the Deputy Secretary is Marija Golubeva. The new convocation of the Saeima usually elects the Presidium at its first plenary sitting. Nominations for posi- tions in the Presidium are submitted by MPs in writing, and voting on all nom- Presidium of the 13th Saeima inees appointed for each position is held simultaneously in an open ballot Saeima, thus ensuring performance competence of these officials. procedure by using ballot papers. The of all tasks assigned by the Presidium. Plenary sittings are usually held once a nominee who receives the most votes is Meetings of the Presidium are usually week (on Thursdays) in the main build- elected; however, the number of votes held in the Red Room of the main build- ing of the Saeima. Ceremonial sittings, should not be less than the majority of ing of the Saeima, but the Presidium during which the Speaker delivers a votes of the MPs present. Members of may convene at another time and place. ceremonial address, are held twice a the Presidium are usually elected from The Council of Parliamentary Groups year: on 4 May in honour of the anni- political parties which have gained a is formed in order to determine and versary of the convening of the Consti- comparatively large number of seats in coordinate the activities and strategies tutional Assembly and the renewal of the Saeima; the Speaker may be elected of parliamentary groups and political independence of the Republic of Latvia, from a party which has not gained the blocs within the Saeima, as well as to and on 18 November in honour of the largest number of seats in the Saeima. resolve issues which are not covered by anniversary of the proclamation of the The Presidium determines the in tern al the Rules of Procedure. This Council Republic of Latvia. The Speaker may regulations of the Saeima, gives opin- is composed of the Presidium and one temporarily assume the duties of the ions on the documents submitted, MP from each parliamentary group President of Latvia if the latter is out of forwards these documents for further and political bloc. the country, resigns or is removed from office, dies or for any other reasons is consideration as prescribed by the Speaker Rules of Procedure, prepares the agen- unable to fulfil the duties of the office. The Speaker represents the Saeima, das of plenary sittings and performs The Speaker is a member of the Na- chairs and maintains order during ple- other organisational functions. tional Security Council, which coordi- nary sittings, as well as ensures that the nates a unified national security policy The members of the Presidium are sup- sittings are held in accordance with the implemented by the highest public of- ported by the staff of their offices. Rules of Procedure. The Speaker also Meetings of the Presidium are usually chairs the meetings of the Presidium, ficials and institutions. held once a week (on Mondays), and as well as sittings devoted to answer- The Speaker devotes considerable time they are convened by the Speaker. Dur- ing parliamentary questions, during to developing diplomatic relations by ing the Speaker’s absence, meetings are which MPs hear answers to their ques- meeting foreign dignitaries, delegations convened by one of the Deputy Speak- tions submitted to the Prime Minister, and ambassadors, as well as by paying ers. The meetings are attended by the line ministers or the Governor of the visits abroad. Once a year, the Speaker heads of all organisational units of the Bank of Latvia about matters within the invites representatives of the diplomatic Fact Sheet 2 v02.12 ENG; 07.11.18. Saeima of the Republic of Latvia • Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811, Latvia • phone: +371 67087321 • www.saeima.lv • e-mail: [email protected] First sitting of the 13th Saeima Speaker’s standard corps, namely, ambassadors accredited Speakers have established several tra- tings, check the transcripts and supervise in the Republic of Latvia and honorary ditions in the Saeima. Each January, the work of the Saeima Administration. consuls, to a meeting with MPs, and the Speaker invites other MPs, par- within the framework of the annual ticipants of the Barricades, journalists, meeting of the heads of diplomatic mis- and the public at large to light a bon- sions of the Republic of Latvia abroad, fire by the main building of the Saeima the Speaker and other MPs meet the to commemorate the Barricades of ambassadors of the Republic of Latvia. 1991. Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the HISTORY th th • People’s Council: A significant duty of the Speaker is to 10 and 11 Saeima, established a new President Jānis Čakste work with documents, submissions tradition at the Latvian parliament – • Constitutional Assembly: and letters sent by various institu- signing the Guest Book of the Saeima. Another tradition is the annual spring President Jānis Čakste tions and individuals. st community work day, which is a sym- • 1 Saeima: Speaker Frīdrihs Vesmanis (up to 20 March 1925), By virtue of office, the Speaker is also bolic birthday gift to Latvia. Similarly the Chairperson of the Board for then Speaker Pauls Kalniņš before Christmas, the Speaker, together st nd rd th Awarding the Commemorative Medal • 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 Saeima: with children and other MPs, takes part Speaker Pauls Kalniņš for Participants of the Barricades of in a creative Christmas workshop out- • Supreme Council: 1991. This medal was awarded to par- side the main building of the Saeima. Chairman Anatolijs Gorbunovs ticipants of the Barricades, and the last • 5th Saeima: medal was awarded in October 2011, The Presidium has established the Cer- tificate of Merit, which is awarded to Speaker Anatolijs Gorbunovs when all individuals who had been th persons for their contribution in reach- • 6 Saeima: Speaker Ilga Kreituse nominated in a statutory procedure had (up to 26 September 1996), ing national development goals set by received the medal. However, because then Speaker Alfreds Čepānis the parliament. of the unwavering desire of people to • 7th Saeima: Speaker Jānis Straume honour and thank those who partici- Deputy Speakers • 8th Saeima: pated in the Barricades, the Board de- Speaker Ingrīda Ūdre (now Latimira) During the Speaker’s absence and upon th cided to establish a Certificate of Merit, • 9 Saeima: Speaker Indulis Emsis (up mutual consent, his/her duties are car- which is ceremoniously presented by to 24 September 2007), ried out by one of the Deputy Speakers. then Speaker Gundars Daudze the Speaker or his/her representative. The Speaker and Deputy Speakers share • 10th and 11th Saeima: The Speaker also fulfils the duties of routine responsibilities, such as chair- Speaker Solvita Āboltiņa an MP and participates in the work of ing plenary sittings, Presidium meet- • 12th and 13th Saeima: parliamentary committees and sub- ings and sittings devoted to answering Speaker Ināra Mūrniece committees. parliamentary questions, as well as The Speaker’s standard – a white flag meeting with foreign public officials. with a cross having the same colour INTERESTING FACTS proportions as the national flag and Secretary and • Pauls Kalniņš is the longest-serving Speaker of the Saeima in the history the large national coat of arms in the Deputy Secretary of the Latvian parliament. He held the top right-hand white segment – is usu- The Secretary and the Deputy Secretary office in four consecutive convocations ally displayed in the Speaker’s office, on arrange for the recording of minutes for a total of nine years from 20 March his/her car, or on other means of trans- during plenary sittings and, if necessary, 1925 to 15 May 1934. port which he/she uses. read out documents during plenary sit- Fact Sheet 2 v02.12 ENG; 07.11.18. Saeima of the Republic of Latvia • Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811, Latvia • phone: +371 67087321 • www.saeima.lv • e-mail: [email protected].
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