latvia

Country information

• EU Constitution
  Parliament ratified the EU Constitution on 2 June 2005, just one day after the Dutch 'No' vote (more).
  
  
• The Lisbon Treaty: to be ratified by the Diet on 8 April 2008.
  
  
• EU Presidency: January-June 2015
  
  
• Government Type: parliamentary democracy
  
  
• Executive Branch
  
  • HEAD OF STATE
  President Valdis ZATLERS (since 8 July 2007)
  
  • HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
  Prime Minister Ivars GODMANIS (since 20 December 2007)
  
  • MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
  Maris RIEKSTINS
  
  
• Legislative branch
  
  • ELECTIONS
  Last elections: 7 October 2006
  
  • ELECTION RESULTS
  Three Party coalition 44.8% (51 seats):
  - People Party 19.5% (23 seats)
  - Greens and Farmer Union 16.7% (18 seats)
  - Latvia's First 8.6% (10 seats)
  New Era 18 seats
  Harmony Centre 17 seats
  For Fatherland and Freedom 8 seats
  For Human Rights in United Latvia 6 seats
  
  
• Additional information
  
  • PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
  Last held 31 May 2007 (next to be held by 2011); prime minister appointed by the president