The Latvian Parliament elects Edvardas Smiltenas as the new president of the Saeima

Nov. 1 () –

The Latvian Parliament has elected Edvardas Smiltenas as the new president of the Saeima in its first session after garnering 82 votes in favor and eleven against, one month after the elections that gave victory to the liberal-conservative New Unity party, headed by the Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins.

With this vote, the Parliament, popularly known as Saeima, has inaugurated its activity this Tuesday, according to the official page of the legislative body, despite the fact that there is still no coalition agreement to form a Government after the elections held on the 1st of october.

“They are starting their work in times of crisis”, declared the Latvian president, Egils Levits, at the beginning of the session, adding that there is “more than one crisis fire to put out”, referring to high energy prices, inflation and the war in Ukraine, according to DPA.

Karins, whose formation won with about 19 percent of the vote, earlier said he was ready to lead the NATO-member country that shares a border with Russia.

Taking into account the results, the next Latvian government could be formed around New Unit and United List, which obtained 11 percent of the support. Both, together with the National Alliance, with 9.31 percent of the votes, could win 54 seats out of a total of 100. Until now, the Government has had 51 seats.