Latvia's new parliament elects speaker

Edvards Smiltens is seen after he was elected as Latvia's new parliament speaker in Riga, Latvia, on Nov. 1, 2022. Latvia's new parliament assembled for its first session on Tuesday, to swear in lawmakers and elect leaders in a televised ceremony. Edvards Smiltens of the United List became the new parliament speaker, with 82 votes in favor and 11 votes against. (Photo by Edijs Palens/Xinhua)

RIGA, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- Latvia's new parliament assembled for its first session on Tuesday, to swear in lawmakers and elect leaders in a televised ceremony.

Edvards Smiltens of the United List became the new parliament speaker, with 82 votes in favor and 11 votes against. Meanwhile, his rival Aleksejs Roslikovs of Stability was supported by the 11 members of his party, but 82 MPs voted against him.

Smiltens' victory was predictable, since the United List, along with New Unity and the National Alliance, is likely to become a partner in Latvia's next government coalition.

Zanda Kalnina-Lukasevica of New Unity, and Janis Grasbergs of the National Alliance were elected vice speakers of the Latvian parliament.

Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins' New Unity party came out in the lead in the parliament election on Oct. 1 and is currently holding talks with the United List and the National Alliance to form the Baltic country's new government coalition. ■