The Saeima of the Republic of Latvia

Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

The Republic of Latvia is an independent democratic parliamentary republic, and the sovereign power of the State of Latvia is vested in the people of Latvia. The Saeima is composed of 100 representatives of the people members of the parliament. The Saeima is elected by secret ballot for a term of four years in general, equal and direct elections based on proportional representation. The most important regulations concerning activities of the Saeima are contained in the Constitution and the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima.

Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

History
The first legislative body of the Republic of Latvia the Peoples Council, which on 18 November 1918 proclaimed the Republic of Latvia. The first popularly elected legislative body was the Constitutional Assembly, whose election was held on 17 and 18 April 1920. The Constitutional Assembly drafted the fundamental law for the states system the Constitution.
Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

History
The Saeima has been the name of the parliament of the Republic of Latvia since 1922. The word Saeima means an assembly derived from the verb to go. The original meaning of the neologism saims, coined by Juris Alunns, is a national council, state council. The word used subsequently saeima has the broader meaning of an assembly, a meeting, a conference.
Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Work of the Saeima

The work of the Saeima is administered by the Presidium, which is elected by the Saeima at the beginning of its mandate.
The Presidium is composed of five members of parliament: the Speaker of the Saeima, two Deputy Speakers, a Secretary and a Deputy Secretary.

The Speaker of the Saeima is the official of the Saeima who

represents the Saeima, conducts the Saeima sittings, in special cases temporarily assumes the duties of the President of the State.
Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Work of the Saeima

Committees
Currently, there are 15 standing committees in the Saeima:
Foreign Affairs Committee Budget and Finance (Taxation) Committee Legal Affairs Committee Human Rights and Public Affairs Committee Education, Culture and Science Committee Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee Public Administration and Local Government Committee Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Committee Social and Employment Matters Committee Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Committee Government Review Committee Public Expenditure and Audit Committee National Security Committee Social Cohesion Committee European Affairs Committee

The committees prepare for consideration all matters that are discussed by the Saeima. Broader discussions about laws take place within the committees.
Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Work of the Saeima

Parliamentary groups
At least five members of the parliament may form a parliamentary group A Saeima member who has withdrawn his/her membership from a parliamentary group is deemed to be a Saeima member not affiliated with any parliamentary group.

The Council of Parliamentary Groups

Coordinates the activities of parliamentary groups and political blocs.

Political Blocs
Parliamentary groups may form political blocs. Members of the Saeima who are not affiliated with any parliamentary group may join these blocs.

Groups of Saeima members

At least three members may form a group of Saeima members in order to promote cooperation with parliaments of other countries or to deal with other issues.
Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Work of the Saeima

Work of the Saeima is organised in sessions.
In the course of one year, three regular sessions autumn, winter and spring sessions are held. An extraordinary session may be convened at any time during the recess between regular sessions.

Regular Saeima sittings are usually held once a week on Thursday. The Saeima sittings are broadcast live on the Latvian Radio station, and they can be watched on the Saeima website www.saeima.lv.
Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Work of the Saeima

Adoption of laws
Draft laws may be submitted to the Saeima by: the State President, the Cabinet of Ministers, the Saeima committees, not less than five Saeima members, not less than one-tenth of the electorate.

The Saeima has the right to amend the Constitution.

Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Procedure for adopting laws

Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Work of the Saeima

Adoption of the state budget
The draft budget is submitted to the Saeima by the government. A vote for the state budget is in fact a vote of confidence in the government.

Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Work of the Saeima

Parliamentary supervision
The Saeima implements parliamentary supervision of the governments work. The government as a whole and each minister individually are politically responsible before the Saeima. During the question and answer sessions, members of the Saeima pose questions to the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet of Ministers or the Governor of the Bank of Latvia about issues that are within their competence.

Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Work of the Saeima

Approval of officials
The Saeima elects, approves, appoints, discharges or dismisses many state officials: - the President of Latvia, - the members of the Cabinet of Ministers (the Government), - the Auditor General, - the Governor of the Bank of Latvia, - judges and the Prosecutor General, - the Director of the Constitution Protection Bureau and the Director of Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, - other officials.
Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Work of the Saeima

Ratification of international agreements
In accordance with the Constitution, all international agreements which pertain to matters that may be decided by the legislative process require ratification by the Saeima.

International cooperation
The Saeima cooperates with parliaments of other countries, and it is a member of international parliamentary organisations.

Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Traditions
Solemn meetings on 18 November and 4 May Meetings with ambassadors and honorary consuls A symbolic bonfire to commemorate the barricades of January 1991 Youth Parliament School programme Meet the Saeima Job Shadow Day Back to Your School! campaign Spring collective work A Gift for Latvia Open Door Day Museum Night

Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Tours
Everybody is invited to visit the Saeima Tours are held on working days: 9:00 -16:30 To sign up for a tour, call (+371) 67087353 or contact via e-mail: ekskursijas@saeima.lv

Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

How to contact the Saeima?

Telephone: (+371) 67087321
week days: 8:30-17:00

E-mail: info@saeima.lv Visit the Saeima Visitor and Information Centre

Rga, Jkaba iela 16 (entrance from Troku iela) week days: 9:00-16:30

Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv

Thank you for your attention!

Prepared by: Public Relations Department Jkaba iela 11, Rga, LV-1811 Phone: 6708 7321 E-mail: info@saeima.lv