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Speaker of the Saeima, Two Deputy Speakers, a Secretary and a Deputy Secretary

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Speaker of the Saeima, Two Deputy Speakers, a Secretary and a Deputy Secretary The Presidium of the Saeima The work of the Saeima is managed by the Presidium, which is elected by the Saeima at the beginning of its term of office. The Presidium of the Saeima consists of five members of the Saeima – the Speaker of the Saeima, two Deputy Speakers, a Secretary and a Deputy Secretary. Nominations for the positions in the Saeima Presidium are submitted by Saeima members in writing, and voting on the nominees for each position is held simultaneously by secret ballot and by using ballot papers. The nominee who receives the most votes is deemed elected; however, the number of votes should not be less than the absolute majority of votes of the members present. Members of the Presidium are usually elected from the ru- ling parties represented in the Saeima; however, the Speaker In order to coordinate the activities of parliamentary of the Saeima may also be elected from the party which has groups and political blocs, as well as to settle matters not gained the largest number of seats in the Saeima. which are not covered by the Rules of Procedure, the The Presidium of the Saeima determines the internal ru- Council of Parliamentary Groups is formed. It consists les of the Saeima, gives opinions on the documents sub- of the Saeima Presidium and one Saeima member from mitted and forwards these documents as prescribed by each parliamentary group and political bloc. Decisions of the Rules of Procedure, prepares the agenda of Saeima the Council of Parliamentary Groups are only advisory. sittings, as well as confirms planned business trips. Mo- reover, the Presidium appoints and dismisses the heads Speaker of the Saeima of the Saeima organizational units and performs other The Presidium of the Saeima is headed by the Saeima organisational functions. Speaker, who represents the Saeima, as well as chairs and Meetings of the Presidium are usually held twice a week maintains order during Saeima sittings. The Saeima Spe- (on Mondays and Thursdays), and they are convened by aker also chairs the meetings of the Saeima Presidium, as well as sittings during which members of the Saeima op- the Speaker of the Saeima. During the Speaker’s absence, position submit questions to the Prime Minister, mem- meetings are convened by one of the Deputy Speakers. bers of the Cabinet or the Governor of the Bank of Latvia Meetings of the Presidium are usually held in the Saeima about matters within their competence. building; nevertheless, the Presidium may be convened at another time and place. The Saeima sittings are usually held once a week – on Thursdays – in the Saeima building. Twice a year – on 4 May and 18 November – ceremonial Saeima sittings are held during which the Saeima Speaker delivers a festive address. According to the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, the Saeima Speaker may temporarily assume the duties of the President of Latvia in the following cases: if the Pre- sident is out of the country, resigns or is removed from office, dies or for any other reasons is unable to fulfil the duties of the office. The Saeima Speaker is also a member of the National Security Council, which coordinates a uniform national security policy. Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811, Latvia 2. faktu lapa Phone: (+371) 67087321 v2.3 ENG; 10.05.10. www.saeima.lv • e-mail: [email protected] History • Jānis Čakste, President of the People’s Council The Saeima Speaker is also the Chairperson of the Board • Jānis Čakste, President of the Constitutional Assembly for Awarding Commemorative Badges to Participants of • The 1 st Saeima: Frīdrihs Vesmanis, Chairman of the the 1991 Barricades. This commemorative badge is awar- Saeima until 20 March 1925, when he was succeeded by ded to the participants of the barricades of January and Pauls Kalniņš August 1991 for their courage, selflessness and initiative, • The nd2 Saeima: as well as for their contribution in performing organisa- Pauls Kalniņš, Chairman of the Saeima • The rd3 tional and logistics-related activities. Saeima: Pauls Kalniņš, Chairman of the Saeima • The th4 The Saeima Speaker, upon fulfilling the duties of office,- de Saeima: Pauls Kalniņš, Chairman of the Saeima votes considerable time in developing diplomatic relations • Anatolijs Gorbunovs, Chairman of the Supreme Council both by meeting top foreign officials, delegations and -am • The 5 th Saeima: Anatolijs Gorbunovs, Speaker of the bassadors in the Saeima and by paying official and working Saeima visits to other countries. Moreover, once a year the Saeima • th The 6 Saeima: Ilga Kreituse, Speaker of the Saeima until Speaker invites representatives of the diplomatic corps – 26 September 1996, when she was succeeded by foreign ambassadors and honorary consuls accredited to Čepānis Alfreds Latvia – to a meeting with Saeima members. During the • The th7 Saeima: Jānis Straume, Speaker of the Saeima annual meeting of the heads of the Latvian diplomatic th • The 8 Saeima: Ingrīda Ūdre missions abroad, the Saeima Speaker and Saeima mem- , Speaker of the Saeima • The 9 th Saeima: Indulis Emsis, Speaker of the Saeima bers have an opportunity to meet with Latvian diplomats. until 24 September 2007, when he was succeeded by the Reviewing documents, submissions and letters received incumbent Speaker, Gundars Daudze. from various institutions and inhabitants is another im- portant duty of the Saeima Speaker. The work of the Saeima Speaker is supported by the Offi- The Speaker and Deputy Speakers divide the current ce of the Saeima Speaker. responsibilities among themselves, including the duty Besides the official duties, the Saeima Speaker also fulfils of chairing Saeima sittings, the Presidium meetings and duties as a Saeima member and participates in the work sessions devoted to answering questions submitted by of several Saeima committees and subcommittees. Saeima members. In the premises of the Saeima Speaker and on the car Secretary of the Saeima and transporting the Saeima Speaker, there is a white stan- dard with a rectangular cross in the colour proportions of Deputy Secretary of the Saeima the national flag. In the top right corner of the standard The Saeima Secretary and the Deputy Secretary arrange there is the large coat-of-arms of Latvia. for the recording of minutes during Saeima sittings and, Saeima Speakers have established several traditions in if necessary, read out documents during Saeima sittings, the Saeima. One such tradition is the joint tree planting check the transcripts and supervise the work of the Saei- in the spring, which is a symbolic gift to Latvia and is ma Chancellery. related to a significant day for our country, i.e., 4 May, Interesting facts when the anniversary of the proclamation of the Decla- ration on the Renewal of Independence of the Republic Pauls Kalniņš is the longest-serving Saeima Chairman in of Latvia is celebrated. Every year in January, the Saeima the history of the Latvian parliament. He held this post for Speaker invites Saeima members, participants of the bar- nine years (20 March 1925 – 15 May 1934). ricades, journalists and inhabitants to light a bonfire near During a Saeima sitting, the person chairing the sitting the Saeima building to commemorate the barricades of declares the debate on the relevant matter closed by rap- 1991. Moreover, shortly before Christmas, the Saeima ping the gavel. Speaker, together with children, organises events in the During Saeima sittings, the Presidium can also give the Saeima building to celebrate the coming of Christmas. heads of state and speakers of parliaments of foreign There is also a Certificate of Merit which the Saeima Pre- countries, as well as top officials of international organi- sidium awards to persons for their achievements in imple- sations an opportunity to address the Saeima. menting national development goals set by the parliament. During a Saeima sitting, visitors are prohibited from ex- pressing approval or disapproval or otherwise disturbing Deputy Speakers of the Saeima order. If they violate this prohibition, the person chairing During the Speaker’s absence and upon mutual consent, the sitting may ask particular individuals or all the visi- his/her duties are fulfilled by one of the Deputy Speakers. tors to leave the Plenary Chamber. Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811, Latvia Phone: (+371) 67087321 www.saeima.lv • e-mail: [email protected].
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