Latvia's 14th Saeima Ends Its Term as Talks on Next Leadership Begin
The 14th Saeima, Latvia's parliament, held its final session, and the newly elected one convenes on 3 November. Politicians are already discussing the presidium and the shape of the next government.
The 14th Saeima, Latvia's parliament, held its last session yesterday. The newly elected 15th Saeima will convene on 3 November, and its agenda includes the matter of the current government laying down its powers. This means the formation of a new government and the distribution of top parliamentary posts will soon begin.
Four years in numbers
Saeima Speaker Daiga Mieriņa of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) told deputies that for some the session marks the end of their work, while for others it is merely a stop before the next stage. She described the Saeima as a mirror of society, said the past four years demanded much work, patience and compromise, urged members to listen to the younger generation, and reminded them that no one is irreplaceable.
Data on the Saeima's website show that the term included 219 sittings and 7,911 votes, with 1,060 laws adopted and 3,572 committee meetings held. ZZS will not be represented in the 15th Saeima. Mieriņa was elected speaker on 20 September 2023, when the ruling coalition changed. At the start of the term the post was held by Edvards Smiltēns, now the justice minister.
What may happen with presidium posts
There is no official information yet on the next Saeima's leadership. Latvian Television's programme Panorāma reported that the 41 deputies of the United List (AS) agreed to seek two posts in the presidium: the speaker's post reportedly intended for Smiltēns, and the deputy speaker's post possibly going to former President Raimonds Vējonis. The remaining three posts could go to Linda Liepiņa (Latvia First), Ināra Mūrniece (National Alliance) and Antoņina Ņenaševa (Progressives). In that case New Unity would be left without a presidium post.
Smiltēns said various government models remain open, from a minority government to a coalition of two or three partners. He acknowledged that very hard decisions will be needed to stabilise state finances, and said he sees no reason to rush. Prime ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs has proposed to potential partners a government work model with change plans and ministers' mission letters.
