The Government of Latvia - The World Countries

Latvia - Government

Based on the etymolgy of Latvia, it was the name originates from the Latgalians, one of four eastern Baltic tribes that formed the ethnic core of the Latvian people (ca. 8th-12th centuries A.D.). The Government system in this country is the parliamentary republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 36 municipalities (novadi, singular - novads) and 7 state cities (valstpilsetu pasvaldibas, singular - valstspilsetas pasvaldiba)

municipalities: Adazi, Aizkraukle, Aluksne, Augsdaugava, Balvi, Bauska, Cesis, Dienvidkurzeme, Dobele, Gulbene, Jekabpils, Jelgava, Kekava, Kraslava, Kuldiga, Limbazi, Livani, Ludza, Madona, Marupe, Ogre, Olaine, Preili, Rezekne, Ropazi, Salaspils, Saldus, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, Smiltene, Talsi, Tukums, Valka, Valmiera, Varaklani, Ventspils

cities: Daugavpils, Jelgava, Jurmala, Liepaja, Rezekne, Riga, Ventspils

National symbols

White wagtail (bird).

The flag

The National flag of Latvia has .

The National Anthem

Title
Lyric/music

More about the government of Latvia

Constitution
Date of Independence	18 November 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 4 May 1990 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union)
National holiday	Independence Day (Republic of Latvia Proclamation Day), 18 November (1918)
Legal system	civil law system with traces of socialist legal traditions and practices
International law organization participation	has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
History	Several previous (pre-1991 independence); after independence was restored in 1991, parts of the 1922 constitution were reintroduced on 4 May 1990 and fully reintroduced on 6 July 1993
Amendment process	Proposed by two thirds of Parliament members or by petition of one tenth of qualified voters submitted through the president; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in each of three readings; amendment of constitutional articles, including national sovereignty, language, the parliamentary electoral system, and constitutional amendment procedures, requires passage in a referendum by majority vote of at least one half of the electorate
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth	no
Citizenship by descent only	at least one parent must be a citizen of Latvia
Dual citizenship recognized	no
Residency requirement for naturalization	5 years
Executive Branch
Chief of state	President Edgars RINKEVICS (since 8 July 2023)
Head of government	Prime Minister Evika SILINA (since 15 September 2023)
Cabinet	Cabinet of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by Parliament
Election/appointment process	president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by Parliament
Most recent election date	31 May 2023
Election results	2023: Edgars RINKEVICS elected president in the third round; Parliament vote - Edgars RINKEVICS (Unity Party) 52, Uldis Pīlēns (independent) 25; Evika SILINA confirmed as prime minister 53-39 2019: Egils LEVITS elected president; Parliament vote - Egils LEVITS (independent) 61, Didzis SMITS (KPV LV) 24, Juris JANSONS (independent) 8; Krisjanis KARINS confirmed as prime minister 61-39
Expected date of next election	2027
Legislative branch
Legislature name	Parliament (Saeima)
Legislative structure	Unicameral
Number of seats	100 (all directly elected)
Electoral system	Proportional representation
Scope of elections	Full renewal
Term in office	4 years
Most recent election date	10/1/2022
Parties elected and seats per party	New Unity (VIENOTIBA) (26); Union of Farmers and Greens (ZZS) (16); United List - Latvian Green Party, Latvian Regional Alliance, Liepāja Party (15); National Alliance of All for Latvia!" - "For Fatherland and Freedom / LNNK" (NA) (13); For Stability! (11); Progressives (10); Latvia First (9)
Percentage of women in chamber	31%
Expected date of next election	October 2026
Judicial branch
Highest court(s)	Supreme Court (consists of the Senate with 36 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges)
Judge selection and term of office	Supreme Court judges nominated by chief justice and confirmed by the Saeima; judges serve until age 70, but term can be extended 2 years; Constitutional Court judges - 3 nominated by Saeima members, 2 by Cabinet ministers, and 2 by plenum of Supreme Court; all judges confirmed by Saeima majority vote; Constitutional Court president and vice president serve in their positions for 3 years; all judges serve 10-year terms; mandatory retirement at age 70
Subordinate courts	District (city) and regional courts
Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Elita KUZMA (since 18 September 2024)
Chancery	2306 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone	[1] (202) 328-2840
FAX	[1] (202) 328-2860
Email address and website	[email protected] https://www2.mfa.gov.lv/en/usa
Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission	Ambassador Christopher ROBINSON (since 21 February 2023)
Embassy	1 Samnera Velsa Street (former Remtes), Riga LV-1510
Mailing address	4520 Riga Place, Washington DC 20521-4520
Telephone	[371] 6710-7000
FAX	[371] 6710-7050
Email address and website	[email protected] https://lv.usembassy.gov/
National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites	3 (all cultural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales	Historic Center of Riga; Struve Geodetic Arc; Old town of Kuldīga