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"One hundred years ago, our founding fathers chose the path of parliamentary democracy. It is not an easy path and requires the ability to hear and reconcile different ideas, beliefs and opinions. For the legislative process to work smoothly and constructively in a parliamentary republic, an effective democratic instrument is needed. The Saeima's Rules of Procedure have become such an instrument," said Edvards Smiltēns, Speaker of the Saeima, at the opening of an event to mark the centenary of the Saeima's Rules of Procedure on Thursday, 15 June.
The Speaker of the Saeima noted that the Rules of Procedure can be compared to a kind of legislative traffic rules, or an order that is recognised and respected by all participants in the process. "The Rules of Procedure can be compared to a complex mechanism of checks and balances, which ensures the balance and equilibrium so vital in a democracy," said Smiltēns, noting that they also address questions fundamental to democracy, such as the relationship between the majority and the minority, or the reconciliation of free expression with effective legislative work.
"Times are changing, as is our country, society, the legislative process and, with it, the Rules of Procedure. Change is natural and we can safely predict that it will continue to happen," said the Speaker of the Saeima, noting that, despite the changes, the Saeima's Rules of Procedure will always fulfil their main function—to ensure the clarity of the legislative process, allowing for the most important thing—the will of the electorate—to be implemented in a clear, transparent and democratic way.
On the occasion of the centenary of the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima, the Parliament held a discussion on the organisation of the work of the legislature through the ages. An anniversary edition was also unveiled, containing the current version of the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima adopted in 1994, as well as facsimile editions of the versions from the inter-war period. These provide an overview of the texts of the Rules of Procedure of the Latvian Parliament adopted in different periods, their development and changes.
The event was accompanied by excerpts from the play "Nasing spešal" by Ģertrūdes Street Theatre. It is based on one of the longest sessions of the Saeima in the history of the restored Latvia—the session at the end of 2008, which lasted 28 hours and 16 minutes.
In Latvia, the procedures and rules of parliamentary work have always been compiled in a single law—the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima. The first Rules of Procedure came into force in 1923, and a revised text was adopted by the 3rd Saeima in 1929. After the Soviet occupation, the restored Republic of Latvia reinstated the Rules of Procedure, adapted them to the modern requirements, and they came into force once again in 1994.
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Saeima Press Service