The Speaker of the Saeima (Latvian: Saeimas priekšsēdētājs; lit. "Chairperson of the Saeima") is the presiding officer of the Parliament of Latvia, the Saeima.[1][2]
| Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia | |
|---|---|
| Latvijas Republikas Saeimas priekšsēdētājs | |
 | |
| Style | Mister Speaker (informal) The Honorable (formal) |
| Seat | Saeima, City of Riga, Latvia |
| Appointer | Saeima |
| Term length | No term limit |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Latvia |
| Formation | 11 July 1922 |
| First holder | Frīdrihs Vesmanis |
| Salary | €36,000 annually |
If the President of Latvia resigns from office, dies or is removed from office before their term has ended, the Speaker of the Saeima shall assume the duties of the President until the Saeima has elected a new President. Similarly, the Speaker of the Saeima shall assume the duties of the President if the latter is away from Latvia or for any other reason unable to fulfil the duties of office.
The Speaker of the Saeima must be elected at the first meeting of the current convocation of the Saeima.
List of speakers
Speakers of the Saeima (1922–1934)
Parties
| No. | Name | Portrait | Period | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frīdrihs Vesmanis |  | November 7, 1922 – March 17, 1925 | Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party |
| 2 | Pauls Kalniņš |  | March 20, 1925 – May 15, 1934 | Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party |
Chairman of the Supreme Council (1990–1993)
Parties
| No. | Name | Portrait | Period | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Anatolijs Gorbunovs |  | May 3, 1990 – July 6, 1993 | Communist Party of Latvia (until 1991) |
Speakers of the Saeima (after 1993)
Parties
LC LTF DP-S TB/LNNK ZZS-LZS ZZS-LZP ZZS-LUV NA-VL-TB/LNNK United List (Latvia)
| No. | Name | Portrait | Period | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (3) | Anatolijs Gorbunovs | | August 21, 1991 – February 13, 1993 | Popular Front of Latvia |
| (3) | July 6, 1993 – November 7, 1995 | Latvian Way | ||
| 4 | Ilga Kreituse |  | November 7, 1995 – September 26, 1996 | Democratic Party "Saimnieks" |
| 5 | Alfrēds Čepānis |  | September 26, 1996 – November 3, 1998 | Democratic Party "Saimnieks" |
| 6 | Jānis Straume |  | November 3, 1998 – November 5, 2002 | For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK |
| 7 | Ingrīda Ūdre |  | November 5, 2002 – November 7, 2006 | Union of Greens and Farmers (Latvian Farmers' Union) |
| 8 | Indulis Emsis |  | November 7, 2006 – September 24, 2007 | Union of Greens and Farmers (Latvian Green Party) |
| 9 | Gundars Daudze |  | September 24, 2007 – November 2, 2010 | Union of Greens and Farmers (Latvijai un Ventspilij) |
| 10 | Solvita Āboltiņa |  | November 2, 2010 – November 4, 2014 | Unity (New Era Party) |
| 11 | Ināra Mūrniece | _(cropped).jpg) | November 4, 2014 – November 1, 2022 | National Alliance |
| 12 | Edvards Smiltēns |  | November 1, 2022 – September 20, 2023 | United List (Latvian Association of Regions) |
| 13 | Daiga Mieriņa | .jpg) | September 20, 2023 – Incumbent | Union of Greens and Farmers (Latvian Farmers' Union) |
Timeline
