RIGA, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- Latvia's 15th Saeima, or parliament, convened for its inaugural session on Tuesday and elected Edvards Smiltens of the United List as its speaker, marking his second term in the position.
A total of 79 lawmakers voted in favor of Smiltens, while 15 voted against his appointment.
Latvia held its parliamentary elections on Oct. 3, with the Central Election Commission announcing the final results on Oct. 16. The United List emerged as the largest political force, securing 41 of the 100 seats. Latvia First came second with 17 seats, followed by Sovereign Power/Alliance of Young Latvians with 15. The National Alliance and the Progressives each won 10 seats, while New Unity secured seven.
Born in September 1984, Smiltens has served as both a member and deputy speaker of parliament. He previously held the position of parliamentary speaker from November 2022 to September 2023.
Latvia has a unicameral parliament comprising 100 members elected for four-year terms. Under the Latvian Constitution, a newly elected parliament must convene for its first session on the first Tuesday of November following parliamentary elections, marking the end of the previous parliament's term.
The speaker is elected by fellow lawmakers and is responsible for presiding over parliamentary sessions and overseeing the work of the Saeima. ■