The Saeima is the parliament of Latvia. It is composed of 100 representatives elected by the people of Latvia through general elections every 4 years. The Saeima passes laws, approves government budgets and policies, and oversees the work of the government. It has been the parliament of Latvia since 1922.

1. The Saeima of
the Republic of Latvia
Prepared by: Public Relations Department
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

2. 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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

3. History
The first legislative body
of the Republic of Latvia –
the People’s 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 state’s system – the Constitution.
Prepared by: Public Relations Department
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

4. 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 Alunāns, 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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

5. 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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

6. 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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

7. 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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

8. 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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

9. 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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

10. Procedure for adopting laws
Prepared by: Public Relations Department
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

11. 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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

12. Work of the Saeima
 Parliamentary supervision
The Saeima implements parliamentary supervision of the government’s
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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

13. 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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

14. 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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

15. 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
 “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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

16. 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
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

17. 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
Rīga, Jēkaba iela 16
(entrance from Trokšņu iela)
week days: 9:00-16:30
Prepared by: Public Relations Department
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv

18. Thank you for your attention!
Prepared by: Public Relations Department
Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811 • Phone: 6708 7321 • E-mail: info@saeima.lv