Latvia joined the European Union on 1 May&nbsp;2004 and has been a member of the Schengen area since 21 December 2007. It became a member of the Euro area on 1 January 2014.

Latvia is a parliamentary republic with a head of government - the Prime Minister - who chooses the council of ministers and a head of state - the President - who has a largely ceremonial role and nominates the Prime Minister.

The government is subject to Parliament's approval throughout each term.

The country is subdivided into 110 one-level municipalities and 9 cities. These each have their own city councils and municipal administrations.

There are 8 Members of the European Parliament from Latvia.

EU - Latvia

Krišjānis KARINS, Latvian Prime Minister, is the twentieth EU leader to debate the future of Europe with MEPs, and the last one before the European Elections 23-26 May 2019, in plenary session in Strasbourg.

The Europeans want the EU to change. This is why the European Parliament is taking the leadership over a reform of the EU.

Parliament set out its vision for the future of Europe in three resolutions voted in plenary session on 16 February 2017. MEPs suggested, among other things: turning the Council of Ministers into a genuine second legislative chamber, and its configurations into preparatory bodies similar to Parliament’s committees, appointing an EU finance minister and giving the EU Commission the power to formulate and give effect to a common EU economic policy, backed up by a euro-area budget, and creating a fiscal capacity consisting of the European Stability Mechanism (ESM) and specific additional budgetary capacity for the euro area, funded by its members as a part of the EU budget.

Catch up on all the future of Europe debates

Debate on the Future of Europe with Krišjānis KARINS, Latvian Prime Ministe

Latvia joined the European Union 1st January 2014 and it has been a member of the Schengen area since 21st December 2017.

Latvia is a parliamentary republic with a head of government - the Prime Minister - who chooses the council of ministers and a head of state - the President - who has a largely ceremonial role and nominates the prime minister. The government remains subject to Parliament's approval throughout each term. The country is subdivided into 110 one-level municipalities and 9 cities. These have their own city councils and municipal administrations.

There are 8 members of the European Parliament from Latvia.

EU - Latvia (2019-2020)

This storybook is about a little girl, Anna, who is starting school in a new country and learning the local language through immersion. The audiobook and e-book versions are available in the 24 EU official languages. While the target audience is 3-6 year olds, this storybook could also be useful for older children learning to read, whether in their first EU language or in another one.

<a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/anna-learns-new-language-all-versions_15508_pk">See the other language versions</a>

Anna learns a new language (Latvian version)

EP President Roberta Metsola is in Riga, where she will meet with Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa, President of the Republic of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa and Minister of Foreign Affairs Krišjānis Kariņš. President Metsola will then deliver a speech and participate in a discussion with young Latvians.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia)

Ansis PUPOLS official portrait - 9th Parliamentary term

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Stockholm (Sweden) - Town Hall discussion with young Latvians, organised by the Latvian Institute of International Affairs

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) - Town Hall discussion with young Latvians, organised by the Latvian Institute of International Affairs

Ehdotukset unionin säädöksiksi

Iranin ennennäkemätön hyökkäys Israelia vastaan sekä tarve liennytykselle ja EU:n toimille (keskustelu)

Istunnon jatkaminen

Juhlaistunto – EU:n vuoden 2004 laajentumisen 20-vuotispäivä

Äänestykset

Edellisen istunnon pöytäkirjan hyväksyminen

Hyökkäys ilmastoa ja luontoa vastaan: äärioikeiston ja konservatiivien pyrkimykset kaataa vihreän kehityksen ohjelma ja estää investoinnit tulevaisuuteen (ajankohtainen keskustelu)

Direktiivin 2013/36/EU muuttaminen valvontavaltuuksien, seuraamusten, kolmannen maan sivuliikkeiden sekä ympäristöön, yhteiskuntaan ja hyvään hallintotapaan liittyvien riskien osalta - Asetuksen (EU) N:o 575/2013 muuttaminen luottoriskiä, vastuun arvonoikaisuriskiä, operatiivista riskiä, markkinariskiä ja kokonaisriskipainolattiaa koskevien vaatimusten osalta (yhteiskeskustelu - Pankkiunioni)

Kuudes rahanpesunvastainen direktiivi - Rahanpesunvastainen asetus - Rahanpesun ja terrorismin rahoituksen torjuntaviranomaisen perustaminen (yhteiskeskustelu - Rahanpesun torjunta)

Euroopan parlamentin tutkintaoikeus (keskustelu)

Äänestykset (jatkoa)

La Hulpen julistus sosiaalisen Euroopan tulevaisuudesta (keskustelu)

Luodaan yhdessä kestävä tulevaisuus: kilpailukykyisen, yhtenäisen ja osallistavan Euroopan taloudelliset, sosiaaliset ja alueelliset haasteet (keskustelu)

Viimeaikaiset pyrkimykset kieltää diktatuurit ja vaara Euroopan paluusta totalitarismiin (keskustelu)

Azerbaidžan, etenkin kansalaisyhteiskunnan tukahduttaminen ja Gubad Ibadoghlun ja Ilhamiz Guliyevin tapaukset

Ehdotettu naisten sukuelinten silpomisen kieltävän lain kumoaminen Gambiassa

Uusi turvallisuuslaki Hongkongissa ja Andy Lin ja Joseph Johnin tapaukset

Ghanan parlamentin hyväksymä hlbtiq-vastainen lakiehdotus ja sen vaikutukset ihmisoikeuksiin, sananvapauteen ja demokratian periaatteisiin (keskustelu)

Matkustajien ennakkotiedot: ulkorajavalvonnan tehostaminen ja helpottaminen - Matkustajien ennakkotiedot: terrorismirikosten ja vakavan rikollisuuden ennalta estäminen, paljastaminen ja tutkinta sekä tällaisiin rikoksiin liittyvät syytetoimet (yhteiskeskustelu – Matkustajien ennakkotiedot)

Äänestysselitykset

Seuraavan istunnon esityslista

Istunnon päättäminen

Plenary session

Official visit to Riga (Latvia) - Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister

Official visit to Riga (Latvia) - Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Daiga MIERINA, Speaker of the Saeima (Latvian Parliament)

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Edgars RINKĒVIČS, President of Latvia

Joint Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Krišjanis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Prime Minister

Press point by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and by Egils LEVITS, President of Latvia

Istunnon avaaminen

Esityslistan muuttaminen

Henkilö- ja pakettiautojen hiilidioksidipäästönormit (keskustelu)

Latvian tasavallan presidentin Egils Levitsin puhe

Muistosanat

Puutumatuse äravõtmise taotlus

EU:n liittyminen Euroopan neuvoston yleissopimukseen naisiin kohdistuvan väkivallan ja perheväkivallan ehkäisemisestä ja torjumisesta (keskustelu)

EU:n liittyminen Euroopan neuvoston yleissopimukseen naisiin kohdistuvan väkivallan ja perheväkivallan ehkäisemisestä ja torjumisesta (jatkoa keskustelulle)

EU:n painopisteet naisten asemaa käsittelevän YK:n toimikunnan 67. istuntoa varten (keskustelu) (keskustelu)

Kyselytunti (komissio) - EU:n laajentumispolitiikan vahvistaminen Länsi-Balkanilla

Riippumattoman EU:n eettisen elimen perustaminen (keskustelu)

Poliittisten ryhmien kokoonpano

Valiokuntien ja valtuuskuntien kokoonpano

Tunisian tilanteen johdosta toteutettavat toimet (keskustelu)

Ruandan ja Kongon demokraattisen tasavallan väliset jännitteet (keskustelu)

Eurooppalaisia pitkäaikaissijoitusrahastoja (ELTIF) koskevan asetuksen muuttaminen (keskustelu)

Tämän istunnon pöytäkirjan hyväksyminen

Address by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to the Saeima - Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Yhteispuheenjohtajat päättävät konferenssin täysistunnon

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - Climate change and the environment

autre langue

EU:n rooli maailmassa

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary  (with Metadata)

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary - Education, culture, youth

Yhteispuheenjohtajat avaavat tilaisuuden, esityslista sellaisena kuin johtokunta on sitä esittänyt

Terveys

Muuttoliike

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary (with Metadata)

Kansallisten tapahtumien esittely

Kutsuttujen sidosryhmien puheenvuoro

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary I : Opening, Agenda, Interactive presentations of National Events and stakeholders interventions

Koulutus, kulttuuri, nuoriso ja urheilu - Eurooppalaisessa kansalaispaneelissa 1 ja siihen liittyvissä kansallisissa paneeleissa annettujen suositusten esittely

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary 1: Youth, education and culture

Eurooppalaiset kansalaispaneelit – yhteispuheenjohtajien ja eurooppalaisten kansalaispaneelien edustajien alustus sekä keskustelu

Kansallisten paneelien ja tapahtumien edustajien raportti järjestettävistä kansallisista paneeleista ja tapahtumista

Euroopan nuorisotapahtuman raportti

Monikielinen digitaalinen alusta – yhteispuheenjohtajien alustus väliraporteista ja tilanteesta sekä keskustelu

Konferenssin täysistunnon päättäminen

Yhteispuheenjohtajien avauspuheenvuoro ja johtokunnan ehdottama esityslista

Konferenssin tavoitteet ja siihen kohdistuvat odotukset, eurooppalaiset kansalaispaneelit, kansallisen tason kansalaispaneelit ja tapahtumat ja monikielinen digitaalinen alusta: esittely ja yleiskeskustelu

Konferenssin täysistuntojen, eurooppalaisten kansalaispaneelien ja eurooppalaisten kansalaistapahtumien kalenteri sekä yhteispuheenjohtajien ehdotus temaattisten työryhmien toiminnan järjestämisestä: esittely ja keskustelu

Inaugural plenary of the Conference on the Future of Europe

Press Conference A. TAJANI - EP President - and A.K. KARIŅŠ - Latvian Prime Minister - on “Future of Europe”-BU

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) - Meeting with Krišjanis KARIŅŠMinister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) -  Meeting with Evika SILINA, Latvian Prime Minister

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) - Meeting with Edgars RINKĒVIČS, President of Latvia

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) - Meeting with Daiga MIERINA, Speaker of the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Edgars RINKEVICS, President of Latvia - Press Point

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Edgars RINKEVICS, President of Latvia

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, participates to the Meeting of the European Political Community, in Granada (Spain) - Bilateral Meeting with Evika SILINA, Latvian Prime Minister

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Krišjanis KARINŠ, Latvian Prime Minister.- Press point

Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with Krišjanis KARINŠ, Latvian Prime Minister

Roberta METSOLA, EP President welcomes  Egils LEVITS, Latvian President - Joint Press Point

EP Plenary session - Address by Egils LEVITS, Latvian President

Roberta METSOLA, EP President welcomes  Egils LEVITS, Latvian President

Othmar KARAS welcomes  Egils LEVITS, Latvian President

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Latvia- Youth discussion

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Latvia - Meeting with Egils LEVITS, President of Latvia

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Latvia - Visit to Rail Baltica Infrastructure Project

This news item shows excerpts from two Latvian citizens voting from home for the 2024 European elections in Riga (Latvia). If the voters cannot be present at the polling station due to health reasons, they may vote at their own location by making prior arrangements with the polling station. These rules also apply to the careers of such voters. The European elections take place in Latvia on 8 June, 2024. Eligible voters who are at least 18 years old on the election date can cast their vote to elect nine Latvian Members of the European Parliament. Citizens in the EU Member States elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. The newly elected Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of home voting in Riga (Latvia)

This news item shows excerpts from Latvian voters arriving at the polling station, casting their ballots, and engaging in civic duty in the Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka ("National Library") in Riga (Latvia). Moreover, the video shows exterior shots of the peculiar locations of the city of Riga. The European elections take place in Latvia on 8 June 2024. Eligible voters who are at least 18 years old on the election date can cast their vote in order to elect nine Latvian Members of the European Parliament. Citizens in the EU Member States elect their representatives to the European Parliament during the European elections of 6 to 9 June. The newly elected Members, representing EU citizens until 2029, meet in July to elect their President, Vice-Presidents and Quaestors. They decide on the composition of Parliament's standing and sub committees - thereby launching the new legislative term.

European elections 2024 - Ambiance shots of polling station inside the Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka (National Library) in Riga (Latvia)

Eliass is a mechatronics student at Rezekne Academy of Technologies in Rezekne, Latvia, and was born on 1 May 2004. Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Born European - 20th anniversary of the 2004 Enlargement of the European Union – Latvia

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement, the EP buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg are illuminated.

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: illuminations of the EP buildings in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg

&lt;p>Eiropas Savienībā demokrātija var šķist pašsaprotama. Taču tā nav bijis vienmēr. Vēl pavisam nesen miljoniem eiropiešu nevarēja balsot vai pat brīvi paust savu viedokli. Šajā laikā bija jābaidās par savu dzīvību, ja biji atšķirīgs, ja tev bija savādāki uzskati vai ja vēlējies citādāku dzīvi. Demokrātija ir vērtīga dāvana, ko esam saņēmuši no iepriekšējām paaudzēm. Tās tiecās pēc demokrātijas un to izcīnīja. Tagad mums tā jānosargā, jāpadara spēcīgāka un jānodod nākamajām paaudzēm. Vislabākais veids, kā to izdarīt, ir balsot vēlēšanās&nbsp;— jo vairāk cilvēku balso, jo stiprāka kļūst demokrātija. 2024.&nbsp;gada 6.–9.&nbsp;jūnijā&nbsp;— balso un neļauj citiem lemt tavā vietā!&lt;/p>&lt;p>© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.&lt;/p>&lt;p> &lt;/p>

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (audiodescription) 4:5

&lt;p>In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come.The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you. © ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.&lt;/p>

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (International Sign) 16:9

&lt;p>Eiropas Savienībā demokrātija var šķist pašsaprotama. Taču tā nav bijis vienmēr. Vēl pavisam nesen miljoniem eiropiešu nevarēja balsot vai pat brīvi paust savu viedokli. Šajā laikā bija jābaidās par savu dzīvību, ja biji atšķirīgs, ja tev bija savādāki uzskati vai ja vēlējies citādāku dzīvi. Demokrātija ir vērtīga dāvana, ko esam saņēmuši no iepriekšējām paaudzēm. Tās tiecās pēc demokrātijas un to izcīnīja. Tagad mums tā jānosargā, jāpadara spēcīgāka un jānodod nākamajām paaudzēm. Vislabākais veids, kā to izdarīt, ir balsot vēlēšanās&nbsp;— jo vairāk cilvēku balso, jo stiprāka kļūst demokrātija. 2024.&nbsp;gada 6.–9.&nbsp;jūnijā&nbsp;— balso un neļauj citiem lemt tavā vietā!&lt;/p>&lt;p>© ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.&lt;/p>

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (audiodescription) 16:9

In the European Union, democracy may seem obvious to us today. But this has not always been the case. Not so long ago, millions of Europeans lived through times when they could not vote or even speak up freely. When their very lives could be in danger simply for being different, for holding different beliefs or for wanting a different life. Democracy is a precious gift passed on to us from previous generations. They aspired towards it and fought for it. Now it is up to us to maintain it, to make it stronger and pass it on to the generations to come.The most effective way to do so is by voting - because the more people vote, the stronger democracy becomes. On June 6-9 2024: Use your vote or others will decide for you. © ANDCO A/S, 2024. All rights reserved. Licensed to the European Parliament under conditions. Use or reproduction is prohibited without prior explicit permission from the respective right holders.

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (subtitled) 4:5

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (dubbed) 16:9

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (dubbed) 4:5

Balso! – European elections 2024 video – Latvian (subtitled) 16:9

EP President Roberta Metsola, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former EP President Pat Cox, and former Commission President Romano Prodi participate in a formal sitting of Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round along with representatives from the ten countries, that joined the EU 20 years ago. During the ceremony, the guests answer questions from a group of young people born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new Member States, who are invited to attend the sitting. Three young guests ask questions to Vaira VĪĶE-FREIBERGA, former President of Latvia, Péter MEDGYESSY, former Prime Minister of Hungary and Lawrence GONZI, former Prime Minister of Malta.

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: Three young guests ask questions to Vaira VĪĶE-FREIBERGA, former President of Latvia, Péter MEDGYESSY, former Prime Minister of Hungary and Lawrence GONZI, former Prime Minister of Malta

EP President Roberta Metsola, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former EP President Pat Cox, and former Commission President Romano Prodi participates in a formal sitting of Parliament to mark the 20th anniversary of the 2004 EU enlargement round along with representatives from the ten countries, that joined the EU 20 years ago. During the ceremony, the guests answer questions from a group of young people born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, who are invited to attend the sitting.

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: extracts from the ceremony

European Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement On Wednesday morning, MEPs, EU and member state representatives, and young people born in May 2004, will mark the ten countries joining the EU 20 years ago. On this occasion, EP President Roberta Metsola welcomes Leszek MILLER, Pat COX, Günter VERHEUGEN, Vaira VIKE-FREIBERGA, Peter MEDGYESSY, Lawrence GONZI, Anton ROP, Mikulas DZURINDA, Kristiina OJULAND, Giorgios IACOVOU, Antanas VALIONIS, Pavel TELIČKA and Romano PRODI

20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement: extracts from the arrivals

Parliament celebrates the 20th anniversary of the EU’s biggest enlargement. Young people, born on or around 1 May 2004 from the new member states, testimony on their feelings about this historical event and the EU.

Clip: Born European - 20th Anniversary of the 2004 EU Enlargement

Global challenges – including climate change, geopolitical conflict, erosion of democratic principles and social inequalities – affect people's daily lives and future prospects.A collective European response over the next 10 years could help to address these challenges – and offer benefits worth up to €3 trillion a year. This represents around 18 % of EU gross domestic product (GDP), equivalent to €6 700 per citizen per year. Referring to the European Parliament's work during the 2019-2024 term, our research has identified action in 10 policy areas that could unleash Europe's potential – without the need for Treaty change.

EPRS - Mapping the cost of non-Europe: Ten ways that Europe could do more for you - Latvian (subtitles)

How does Europe affect our everyday lives? How does it impact on our jobs, our families, our health care, our journeys and our consumer choices? And how is Europe present in our towns, cities and regions? As European citizens, no matter where we live, how we make our living, or how we spend our time, the EU has an impact on our daily lives. The website 'What Europe does for me' presents a wide range of short, easy-to-read texts drawn up by the European Parliamentary Research Service, focusing on what the European Union does and the impact it has on us all. It explores EU actions from the individual’s point of view, with many examples of projects and support.

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting women in the workplace - Latvian (subtitles)

EPRS - What Europe does for me: Supporting people with disabilities - Latvian (subtitles)

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