The Speaker of the Saeima (Latvian: Saeimas priekšsēdētājs; lit. "Chairperson of the Saeima") is the presiding officer of the Parliament of Latvia, the Saeima.[1][2]

Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia
Latvijas Republikas Saeimas priekšsēdētājs
Incumbent
Daiga Mieriņa
since 20 September 2023
StyleMister Speaker (informal)
The Honorable (formal)
SeatSaeima, City of Riga, Latvia
AppointerSaeima
Term lengthNo term limit
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Latvia
Formation11 July 1922; 101 years ago (1922-07-11)
First holderFrīdrihs Vesmanis
Salary€36,000 annually

If the President of Latvia resigns from office, dies or is removed from office before their term has ended, the Speaker of the Saeima shall assume the duties of the President until the Saeima has elected a new President. Similarly, the Speaker of the Saeima shall assume the duties of the President if the latter is away from Latvia or for any other reason unable to fulfil the duties of office.

The Speaker of the Saeima must be elected at the first meeting of the current convocation of the Saeima.

List of speakers edit

Speakers of the Saeima (1922–1934) edit

Parties

  LSDSP

No. Name Portrait Period Party
1 Frīdrihs Vesmanis   November 7, 1922 – March 17, 1925 Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party
2 Pauls Kalniņš   March 20, 1925 – May 15, 1934 Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party

Chairman of the Supreme Council (1990–1993) edit

Parties

  LKP

No. Name Portrait Period Party
3 Anatolijs Gorbunovs   May 3, 1990 – July 6, 1993 Communist Party of Latvia (until 1991)

Speakers of the Saeima (after 1993) edit

Parties

  LC   LTF   DP-S   TB/LNNK   ZZS-LZS   ZZS-LZP   ZZS-LUV   NA-VL-TB/LNNK   United List (Latvia)

No. Name Portrait Period Party
(3) Anatolijs Gorbunovs   August 21, 1991 – February 13, 1993 Popular Front of Latvia
(3) July 6, 1993 – November 7, 1995 Latvian Way
4 Ilga Kreituse   November 7, 1995 – September 26, 1996 Democratic Party "Saimnieks"
5 Alfrēds Čepānis   September 26, 1996 – November 3, 1998 Democratic Party "Saimnieks"
6 Jānis Straume   November 3, 1998 – November 5, 2002 For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK
7 Ingrīda Ūdre   November 5, 2002 – November 7, 2006 Union of Greens and Farmers (Latvian Farmers' Union)
8 Indulis Emsis   November 7, 2006 – September 24, 2007 Union of Greens and Farmers (Latvian Green Party)
9 Gundars Daudze   September 24, 2007 – November 2, 2010 Union of Greens and Farmers (Latvijai un Ventspilij)
10 Solvita Āboltiņa   November 2, 2010 – November 4, 2014 Unity (New Era Party)
11 Ināra Mūrniece   November 4, 2014 – November 1, 2022 National Alliance
12 Edvards Smiltēns   November 1, 2022 – September 20, 2023 United List (Latvian Association of Regions)
13 Daiga Mieriņa   September 20, 2023 – Incumbent Union of Greens and Farmers (Latvian Farmers' Union)

Timeline edit

Daiga MieriņaEdvards SmiltēnsInāra MūrnieceSolvita ĀboltiņaGundars DaudzeIndulis EmsisIngrīda ŪdreJānis StraumeAlfrēds ČepānisIlga KreituseAnatolijs Gorbunovs1934 Latvian coup d'étatPauls KalniņšFrīdrihs Vesmanis

See also edit

References edit