On Friday, 23 August, as a part of the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way, ceremonial opening of the Hall of the Baltic Way was held at the Saeima, with parliamentarians from several countries in attendance.

“Only the love that the Baltic people felt towards their land, their people, their language and culture could have produced the resolve, unity and moral certainty embodied by the Baltic Way 30 years ago. It was also about love of freedom, which has never faded in our hearts and remains as strong as ever,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, in her address before the concert in honour of the 30th anniversary of the Baltic Way on 23 August in culture palace Ziemeļblāzma.

On Monday, 8 July, at an extraordinary plenary sitting of the Saeima, Egils Levits assumed the duties of the President and took the solemn oath: "I swear that all of my work will be dedicated to the welfare of the people of Latvia. I will do everything in my power to promote the prosperity of the Republic of Latvia and all who live here. I will hold sacred and will observe the Constitution of Latvia and the laws of the State. I will act justly towards all and will fulfil my duties conscientiously.”

On Monday, 8 July, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Law on Excise Duties stipulating that the excise duty rate on strong alcoholic beverages shall be reduced starting from 1 August.

On Monday, 8 July the Saeima supported the draft decision “On further action by Latvia at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe” (PACE). The decision tasks the delegation of the Saeima to the PACE to engage in consultation with the parliamentary delegations and their members representing the countries which voted against the restoration of voting rights to the Russian Federation with the aim to agree on a common position before the fourth session of 2019 and decide on further action at the PACE.

Domestic violence is a problem that erodes our society like a cancer. It is not just a family matter, it is an issue for the whole of society, and countries must do everything possible to achieve zero tolerance towards gender-based violence, emphasised Speaker Ināra Mūrniece, while addressing the participants of the Women Political Leaders Global Summit in Tokyo on Wednesday, June 26.

The delegation of Latvia in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) strongly opposes PACE's decision to restore the voting rights of the Russian delegation in the organisation.

We greatly value our relationship with Japan, including the active ties between our parliaments, which we want to develop further. As confirmed by high-level visits, cooperation between Latvia and Japan is expanding, emphasised Speaker Mūrniece during a meeting in the Parliament of Japan with Tadamori Oshima, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chuichi Date, President of the House of Councillors.

On Thursday, 20 June, the Saeima adopted in the final reading under urgent procedure amendments to the Criminal Law introducing criminal liability for non-declaration or false declaration of large sums of cash when crossing the state border. 

On Thursday, 20 June, the Saeima passed on the third reading amendments introducing a ban on the use of uniforms and their elements of the armed forces, law enforcement and repressive bodies of the USSR, its republics and Nazi Germany.