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 Presidium consists of five MPs. Currently, the Speaker is Ināra Mūrniece, the Deputy Speakers are Dagmāra Beitnere-Le Gal- la and Inese Lībiņa-Egnere, the Secre- tary is Andrejs Klementjevs 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 nominees appointed for each position Presidium of the 13th Saeima is held simultaneously in an open bal- lot procedure by using ballot papers. The Council of Parliamentary Groups tings, during which the Speaker deliv- The nominee who receives the most is formed in order to determine and ers a ceremonial address, are held twice votes is elected; however, the number coordinate the activities and strategies a year: on 4 May in honour of the an- of votes should not be less than the ma- of parliamentary groups and political niversary of the convening of the Con- jority of votes of the MPs present. blocs within the Saeima, as well as to stitutional Assembly and the renewal of resolve issues which are not covered by independence of the Republic of Latvia, The Presidium determines the inter- the Rules of Procedure. This Council and on 18 November in honour of the nal regulations of the Saeima, gives is composed of the Presidium and one anniversary of the proclamation of the opinions on the documents submitted, MP from each parliamentary group Republic of Latvia. The Speaker may forwards these documents for further and political bloc. Decisions of the consideration as prescribed by the temporarily assume the duties of the Council of Parliamentary Groups are President of Latvia if the latter is out of Rules of Procedure, prepares the agen- only advisory. das of plenary sittings and performs the country, resigns or is removed from other organisational functions. Speaker office, dies or for any other reasons is unable to fulfil the duties of the office. The members of the Presidium are sup- The Speaker represents the Saeima, ported by the staff of their offices. chairs and maintains order during ple- The Speaker is a member of the Na- tional Security Council, which coordi- Meetings of the Presidium are usu- nary sittings, as well as ensures that the nates a unified national security policy ally held once a week (on Mondays), sittings are held in accordance with the implemented by the highest public of- and they are convened by the Speaker. Rules of Procedure. The Speaker also ficials and institutions. During the Speaker’s absence, meet- chairs the meetings of the Presidium, ings are convened by one of the Depu- as well as sittings devoted to answer- The Speaker devotes considerable ty Speakers. The meetings are attended ing parliamentary questions, during time to developing diplomatic rela- by the heads of all organisational units which MPs hear answers to their ques- tions by meeting foreign dignitaries, of the Saeima, thus ensuring perfor- tions submitted to the Prime Minister, delegations and ambassadors, as well mance of all tasks determined by the line ministers or the Governor of the as by paying official and working vis- Presidium. Meetings of the Presidium Bank of Latvia about matters within its to other countries. Once a year, the are usually held in the Red Room of the competence of these officials. Speaker invites representatives of the the main building of the Saeima, but Plenary sittings are usually held once diplomatic corps, namely, ambassa- the Presidium may convene at another a week (on Thursdays) in the main dors accredited in the Republic of Lat- time and place. building of the Saeima. Ceremonial sit- via and honorary consuls, to a meeting Fact Sheet 2 v02.16 ENG; 19.06.21. 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 with MPs, and within the framework community work day, which is a sym- plenary sittings, check the transcripts of the annual meeting of the heads of bolic birthday gift to Latvia. Before and supervise the work of the Saeima diplomatic missions of the Republic of Christmas, the Speaker, together with Administration by agreeing upon the Latvia abroad, the Speaker and other children and other MPs, takes part in division of their responsibilities. MPs meet the ambassadors of the Re- a creative Christmas workshop outside public of Latvia. the main building of the Saeima on HISTORY Jēkaba iela, which concludes the par- A significant duty of the Speaker is to • People’s Council: liamentary charity activities. work with documents, submissions President Jānis Čakste and letters sent by various institutions The Presidium has established the Cer- • Constitutional Assembly: and individuals. tificate of Merit, which is awarded to President Jānis Čakste persons for their contribution in reach- • 1st Saeima: Speaker Frīdrihs Vesmanis Besides the official duties, the Saeima (up to 20 March 1925), Speaker also fulfils duties as a Saeima ing national development goals set by the parliament. then Speaker Pauls Kalniņš member and participates in the work • 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saeima: of several Saeima committees and sub- Deputy Speakers Speaker Pauls Kalniņš committees. • Jāzeps Rancāns, Acting Speaker During the Speaker’s absence and upon of the Saeima in exile The Speaker’s standard – a white flag mutual consent, his/her duties are car- • Supreme Council: with a cross having the same colour ried out by one of the Deputy Speak- Chairman Anatolijs Gorbunovs proportions as the national flag and the ers. The Speaker and Deputy Speakers • 5th Saeima: Speaker large national coat of arms in the top also share routine responsibilities, such Anatolijs Gorbunovs right-hand white segment – is usually as chairing plenary sittings, Presidium • 6th Saeima: Speaker Ilga Kreituse displayed in the Speaker’s office, on his/ meetings and sittings devoted to an- (up to 26 September 1996), her car, or on other means of transport swering parliamentary questions, as then Speaker Alfreds Čepānis • 7th Saeima: Speaker Jānis Straume which he/she uses. well as meeting with foreign public of- • 8th Saeima: Speaker Ingrīda Ūdre ficials. Speakers have established several tra- (now Latimira) ditions in the Saeima. Each January, • 9th Saeima: Speaker Indulis Emsis the Speaker invites other MPs, par- Secretary and (up to 24 September 2007), ticipants of the Barricades, journalists, Deputy Secretary then Speaker Gundars Daudze and the public at large to light a bonfire The Secretary and the Deputy Secre- • 10th and 11th Saeima: by the main building of the Saeima to tary arrange for the recording of min- Speaker Solvita Āboltiņa th th commemorate the Barricades of 1991. utes during plenary sittings and, if • 12 and 13 Saeima: Another tradition is the annual spring necessary, read out documents during Speaker Ināra Mūrniece Fact Sheet 2 v02.16 ENG; 19.06.21. Saeima of the Republic of Latvia • Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811, Latvia • phone: +371 67087321 • www.saeima.lv • e-mail: [email protected].