“The spring session of the Saeima can be characterised by active and high-quality debates on future development of our state. During this period, the parliament hosted a conference, the NGO forum on Stability, Partnership, Development, as well as the Youth Parliament. Participants of these events addressed issues concerning priorities in planning national development, improvement of the demographic situation, the role of education and research in the national economy, as well as other issues significant for our state and our people. These activities facilitated accessibility and openness of the Latvian parliament to our inhabitants,” indicated Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima.
“In order to ensure that by 2030 Latvia is a flourishing and active country where everyone has a feeling of security and belonging and where unique values in science, culture and economics are created, we have to determine what changes are needed and what resources we have. The state, entrepreneurs and social groups have unique resources; we have to be aware of them and use them for the sake of our common goal – a stable future for Latvia,” said Āboltiņa.
The first Youth Parliament was also organised at the end of this year’s spring session. “I am convinced that the involvement of young people was motivated by their true desire to participate in improving and developing our state and in shaping its future. The ardour of the youth and even boldness of some ideas give the needed impetus for realisation of significant ideas; that is beneficial not only to the pupils’ native towns or regions but also to the entire Latvia,” highlighted the Speaker.
“In our country, the sovereign power is vested in its people. These are not simply words in our Constitution; they declare the basic principle that should be observed in parliamentary work. People have to get involved not only once every four years to elect a hundred MPs but also during the period between elections. Together we are shaping our country; each person can take part and thus can influence the political decision-making process,” said Āboltiņa.
In this session, laws were amended and several significant laws were adopted, including the amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima that set forth the procedure for assessing the Latvian language proficiency of MPs; the process can be initiated by not fewer than 20 MPs. Furthermore, amendments were introduced to the Law on Financing of Political Organisations (Parties) that require the reduction of party expenses before the extraordinary election of the Saeima, as well as to the Law on Judicial Power, which introduce significant changes in the system used for assessing the work of judges.
On overall, during the spring session of 2011, the Saeima adopted 56 laws out of the 225 laws adopted by the current convocation of the Saeima.
Saeima Press Service