Honourable President of Latvia,
Honourable Prime Minister,
Honourable members of the Saeima,
Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Ninety-two years ago a state was born. We love this state not because it is large, powerful or rich; we love it because it is ours. I belong to this country, its culture and its people. I do not know any other national flag that waves more beautifully than our crimson-white-crimson flag.
The foundations which were laid for our country and for our people’s self-esteem on 18 November 1918 enabled the Latvian nation to believe and to survive. To endure the war, deportations, and humiliating years of occupation. They gave us strength to renew our state and to return to the family of democratic European nations. They gave us hope to become masters in our own country and to determine its destiny. As long as the state of Latvia exists, 18 November will retain its significance and value.
Today, while standing here in front of the newly elected Saeima, I would like to remind you of a simple truth – every election is an expression of hopes. On election day, even if disappointed and angry, voters insert into the ballot envelopes their ballot papers, cross-outs and pluses, as well as a part of their hopes. And we – members of the Saeima – upon taking office, become the bearers of these hopes. What should we do in order to ensure that after four years the majority of voters trust the Saeima?
Dear members of the Saeima,
This is a new convocation of the Saeima in which 60% of its membership has changed. In our country, power is vested in its people, and the right of people to dissolve the Saeima set forth in the Constitution confirms that. On 2 October, by expressing their support for particular political parties, voters entrusted us with the fulfilment of their hopes. It will depend on each individual member of parliament and on our joint work whether we will be able to fulfil these hopes.
What does the trust of voters mean to us? Why is it so essential now to restore and preserve society’s trust in the authority of the state? Trust in politicians by no means can be a goal in itself that can make us feel safer and more comfortable. Trust is needed for us to jointly create a better state and to live a better life.
In May 1918, at a time when there was no independent state of Latvia yet, Rainis, a Latvian poet living in exile, wrote to his friend Pauls Dauge: “When do I plan to return home? I have no home, there is no Latvia anymore, there is no Latvian nation anymore. Where will I return to? Who needs me?”
Ladies and gentlemen,
One does not have to be Rainis to feel the same pain. Similar feelings are shared by Latvians who have left their home country in search of a better life. Many of our people are working long hours abroad in order to provide for their families that have remained here. These people also sometimes feel desperate and think that they no longer have a home. However, they are ready to return as soon as they clearly see that they are needed here. Trust in the authority of the state can help to solve many of our problems. We – members of parliament – are the ones who can betray or maintain this trust.
During a crisis, one often hears the question: How to save the country? It is possible to save a country where there is trust. Moreover, only such country is worth saving. Therefore, today I urge everyone sitting in this Chamber to appreciate the significance of this trust and to join our efforts for common work. The failure or inability to get closer to society will be painful to all of us regardless of our political affiliation or our being in the coalition or opposition. Currently, we are not only representatives of our political parties. We are colleagues who have to learn to cooperate and work as a team. Teachers, nurses and entrepreneurs, as well as those who have lost their jobs expect us to do that. I hope that this Saeima will pay particular attention to the quality of its work. I hope that draft laws will be prepared in a timely fashion and reviewed in a constructive manner. I hope that justifications and objections will be understandable. And I hope that discussions on draft laws and the rationale behind the adopted laws will be clear not only to experts in a given sphere but also to each individual in Latvia.
What goals will we set for the next four years? What principles will we observe in our work? Society clearly demands a new political culture. That can be seen not only in the election results but also in society’s response towards the behaviour of politicians during the formation of the new government. We have to be able to talk with society in a different level of quality. The voters now demand a more understandable, open, and democratic political process. Society does not lose its interest in politics after elections; it wants to be actively involved and to have its questions answered. We must not forget that. Therefore, transparency, openness, involvement of society, cooperation with NGOs and involvement in public initiatives will define the work of this Saeima.
Dear audience,
Besides trust, development will be another priority of this Saeima. If during the last one and a half years we spoke about stabilisation, consolidation, and stopping the recession, we now have to work in such a way that in the near future we can replace these words with growth, development, and renewed national economy. In order to achieve that, mutual trust and cooperation will be needed. Soon we will have to stand our first test – adoption of the national budget for 2011. We will have to come to a mutual understanding, establish a fruitful dialogue with entrepreneurs, and think about the tax, support and investment policies not merely from the perspective of the State Treasury. We will have to address these issues from the perspective of economic development. Let us take into account the advice given by foreign experts, and let us listen to the viewpoints of our own people who by their intellect, work and capital increase our gross domestic product.
The economic policy of Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis is based on the need to improve the business environment. Unnecessary bureaucracy has been eradicated. State support is focused on export and manufacturing. Obviously, this policy has been successful because this year for the first time Latvia has experienced unprecedentedly high export growth. Now the next step has to be taken – we have to focus on attracting foreign investments. Implementation of a clear and consistent energy policy is equally important. We are vulnerable in the sphere of energy. We are dependent on one energy supplier, namely, Russia. During the upcoming years, the government has to increase the energy independence of Latvia while retaining the competitiveness of energy prices.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The rule of law will be the third and equally important priority of the Saeima. Equal justice under the law is a seemingly well-known principle. Lately, however, violation of this principle has caused the ratings of certain parties or politicians to plummet. Self-confidence, self-complacency and a sense of impunity are like a disease that has warped the ability of a great many parliamentarians to understand their mission.
A country governed by the rule of law is not an abstract notion. The rule of law starts with each person individually, and each person must set an example in observing it. Unless our actions comply with this principle, voters will not wait until the next election day. I am completely convinced of that.
Our responsibility is also to initiate a significant political debate. Does our election system ensure that our members of parliament are accountable to the voters to a sufficient extent? Is 51% a sufficient majority to elect the President of Latvia? We should strengthen the status and mandate of the President and assess whether the procedure for recalling the President is not too simple. Our Constitution should reflect a modern understanding of accountability of parliamentarians: perhaps we can finally abolish parliamentarians’ immunity from administrative prosecution.
Another question is: Does the existing procedure really give our people an opportunity to express their opinion in referendums? Ladies and gentlemen, we live in the 21st century! Society is better informed, more interested and more active than ever before. Public initiative offers modern means to find out the will of the voters faster and more efficiently. I think that in a few years, e-voting should be introduced in Latvia.
An effective parliament is able to represent a variety of ideas, provide a forum for open discussions, and strike the proper balance between heated debates and wise decisions. The basic principle applied in this regard should not be I like or I dislike. On the contrary, one should make sure whether the rule of law is or is not observed. A democratic parliament is able to hold lively debates respecting society’s needs and not to tolerate the justification It’s good for me. In taking decisions, even unpopular ones, the common good should be the overriding consideration.
Ladies and gentlemen,
People should stand firmly on their own land and have their eyes wide open to the world. We are not alone, and we have to become more active on the international arena. We also have to show more competence in the European and global dialogue regarding future strategies.
This convocation of the parliament will launch a new initiative. Each year in January, when Latvia marks the international de jure recognition of its independence, the Saeima will hold debates on foreign affairs and EU issues. For us, members of the 10th Saeima, this will be an opportunity to present our ideas on ways how to encourage closer Baltic–Nordic cooperation, to shape pragmatic relations with Russia, and to strengthen the transatlantic strategic partnership.
Tomorrow in Lisbon the heads of state and government of NATO countries will adopt decisions on the further development of the Alliance. Latvia has been actively involved in ensuring that the New Strategic Concept reflects Latvia’s interests. Since joining NATO, Latvia has always tried to prove itself a reliable ally. We are clearly aware that as a part of the collective security system, Latvia cannot be merely a security consumer. We have to contribute to international security as well. This is why the Saeima has extended the mandate of our armed forces in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan. We are also contributing to the Alliance by offering our infrastructure for non-military cargo transit to Afghanistan. This is another source of income and a development opportunity for the Latvian economy. It is essential that these cargos contain more and more goods made in Latvia. In this way we can support our entrepreneurs and eventually transform this transit route into a successful trade route.
For six years we have been a part of the European Union in which we as a small country have to find allies, try to make ourselves heard, and be more competent in protecting our national interests. We have to support our farmers and to ensure that they are on equal footing with other EU farmers regarding direct payments. We have to protect our entrepreneurs and ensure that they have continued access to EU funds. The task of the current Saeima is to prepare properly for the EU presidency in 2015. This will be a chance for Latvia to directly influence the further development of the European Union. If we move towards our goal in a timely and skilful way by using all available resources, then we will demonstrate a small country’s international impact, intellectual potential and responsible vision. Latvia can do that! The experience gained by the tiny Latvia is already serving as an example to other countries in distress.
Dear audience,
Only by nurturing our national spirit and culture will Latvia become a strong and viable country. Kārlis Skalbe, one of the founders of the state of Latvia, in his book Little Notes has said: “Our language, literature and arts – that is the unifying flame which warms us, keeps us together and saves us from disappearing among other larger and stronger nations.”
Indeed, language and culture used to be the unifying element which allowed Latvians to perceive themselves as a nation. In order for Latvia to become a modern and European nation state in the 21st century, it is not enough to have a competitive economy. An educated, healthy and creative society will be even more important. Such a society that includes very diverse people united by a common vision. We have to define a new national identity; we have to look at ourselves in a broader international context. What does it mean to be a Latvian in the modern world? How do we want to be seen by others? What are the values for which we are ready to make sacrifices? What kind of future are we shaping for our children? A country is not merely a place where to live and work. A country is primarily all the people living in it. It is the place where national culture, identity, and values are created and preserved.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We can be proud that many times in its history Latvia has served as an example for other nations – an example showing that with courage and selflessness victory can be achieved over a superior power. An example showing how to protect one’s language and culture in exile and under occupation. An example showing that with a song and a conviction a small nation can topple a totalitarian empire and regain its sovereignty. An example showing how to become united in the face of economic hardship and not to indulge in populism typical of a pre-crisis period. In retrospect, we can confidently assert that Latvia has had its own century-long mission. And I am convinced that it will continue to have one in the future.
Only 92 years have passed since the dream about the Latvian statehood came true for the first time. Back then on 18 November, a new hope was born, and it still lives today. Every year during the dark and rainy Latvian autumn, this hope is reborn and gives us strength. During 92 years we have seen both our hopes flourish and our ideals collapse. We have fought with arms for our country, and we have yielded to predominant superpowers. During these years, we have suffered through periods of history that have been far harsher than the current one. All that time the dream of having our own country has managed to stay alive. I think it is important to keep asking oneself: How was that possible?
The answer is quite simple – we feel Latvia with our hearts. The state of Latvia is a part of our personality; it is a criterion of our identity. We are Latvia. We who live, work, hope, quarrel, reconcile and love one another here in Latvia. It is here that our children are born, and it is here that we want to see them happy in a flourishing, beautiful and cherished country.
God bless Latvia, our beloved and our only fatherland!
Press Service