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

Proposte di atti dell'Unione

L'attacco senza precedenti dell'Iran contro Israele, la necessità di una  de-escalation e di una risposta dell'UE (discussione)

Ripresa della seduta

Seduta solenne - 20° anniversario dell'allargamento dell'UE del 2004

Turno di votazioni

Approvazione del processo verbale della seduta precedente

Attacco al clima e alla natura: tentativi dell'estrema destra e dei conservatori di distruggere il Green Deal e impedire gli investimenti nel nostro futuro (discussione di attualità)

Modifica della direttiva 2013/36/UE per quanto riguarda i poteri di vigilanza, le sanzioni, le succursali di paesi terzi e i rischi ambientali, sociali e di governance - Modifica del regolamento (UE) n. 575/2013 per quanto concerne i requisiti per il rischio di credito, il rischio di aggiustamento della valutazione del credito, il rischio operativo, il rischio di mercato e l'output floor (discussione congiunta - Unione bancaria)

Sesta direttiva antiriciclaggio - Regolamento antiriciclaggio - Istituzione dell'Autorità per la lotta al riciclaggio e al finanziamento del terrorismo (discussione congiunta - Antiriciclaggio)

Il diritto d'inchiesta del Parlamento europeo (discussione)

Turno di votazioni (seguito)

La Dichiarazione di La Hulpe sul futuro dell'Europa sociale (discussione)

Forgiare insieme un futuro sostenibile: sfide economiche, sociali e territoriali per un'Europa competitiva, coesa e inclusiva (discussione)

I recenti tentativi di negare le dittature e il rischio di un ritorno dell'Europa al totalitarismo (discussione)

Azerbaigian, in particolare la repressione della società civile e i casi di Gubad Ibadoghlu e Ilhamiz Guliyev

La proposta abrogazione della legge che vieta le mutilazioni genitali femminili nel Gambia

La nuova legge sulla sicurezza a Hong Kong e i casi di Andy Li e Joseph John

Il disegno di legge "anti-LGBTIQ" adottato dal parlamento ghanese con implicazioni per i diritti umani, la libertà di espressione e i principi democratici (discussione)

Informazioni anticipate sui passeggeri: migliorare e agevolare i controlli alle frontiere esterne - Informazioni anticipate sui passeggeri: prevenzione, accertamento, indagine e azione penale nei confronti dei reati di terrorismo e dei reati gravi (discussione congiunta - Informazioni anticipate sui passeggeri)

Dichiarazioni di voto

Ordine del giorno della prossima seduta

Chiusura della seduta

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

Apertura della seduta

Modifica dell'ordine del giorno

Emissioni di CO2 delle autovetture e dei veicoli commerciali leggeri (discussione)

Allocuzione di Egils Levits, Presidente della Repubblica di Lettonia

Commemorazione

Richiesta di revoca dell'immunità

Adesione dell'UE alla convenzione del Consiglio d'Europa sulla prevenzione e la lotta contro la violenza nei confronti delle donne e la violenza domestica (discussione)

Adesione dell'UE alla convenzione del Consiglio d'Europa sulla prevenzione e la lotta contro la violenza nei confronti delle donne e la violenza domestica (seguito della discussione)

Priorità dell'UE in vista della 67a sessione della Commissione delle Nazioni Unite sulla condizione femminile (discussione) (discussione)

Tempo delle interrogazioni (Commissione) - La politica di allargamento dell'UE rafforzata per i Balcani occidentali

Istituzione di un organismo europeo indipendente responsabile delle questioni di etica (discussione)

Composizione dei gruppi politici

Composizione delle commissioni e delle delegazioni

Risposta alla situazione in Tunisia (discussione)

Tensioni fra il Ruanda e la Repubblica democratica del Congo (discussione)

Modifica del regolamento relativo ai fondi di investimento europei a lungo termine (ELTIF) (discussione)

Approvazione del processo verbale della presente seduta

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

Chiusura della sessione plenaria della Conferenza

Conference on the Future of Europe - Plenary

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

autre langue

UE nel mondo

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

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

Apertura da parte dei copresidenti e ordine del giorno quale proposto dal comitato esecutivo

Salute

Migrazione

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

Presentazione degli eventi nazionali

Intervento dei portatori di interessi invitati

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

Istruzione, cultura, gioventù e sport - Presentazione delle raccomandazioni a cura del 1° panel europeo di cittadini e dei correlati panel nazionali

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

Panel europei di cittadini - presentazione a cura dei copresidenti e dei rappresentanti dei panel europei di cittadini, seguita da discussione

Relazione dei rappresentanti dei panel/eventi a livello nazionale sui panel ed eventi nazionali organizzati

Relazione sull'Evento europeo per i giovani

Piattaforma digitale multilingue - presentazione delle relazioni interlocutorie e dello stato di avanzamento a cura dei copresidenti, seguita da discussione

Apertura da parte dei copresidenti e ordine del giorno proposto dal comitato esecutivo

Finalità e aspettative della Conferenza, tra cui i panel dei cittadini europei, i panel/eventi nazionali e la piattaforma digitale multilingue: presentazione e discussione generale

Calendario delle plenarie della Conferenza, dei panel dei cittadini europei e dell'evento dei cittadini europei, nonché proposta dei copresidenti in merito all'organizzazione dei gruppi di lavoro tematici: presentazione e discussione

Chiusura della riunione plenaria della Conferenza

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

&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

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)

This infoclip is a part of the video series called "European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024)", and it shows illustrative footage about migration. It focuses on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is designed to manage and normalise migration for the long term, providing certainty, clarity and decent conditions for people arriving in the EU. It also establishes a common approach to migration and asylum that is based on solidarity, responsibility, and respect for human rights. This info clip also contains illustrative material about the Delegations of the Civil Liberties Committee (LIBE Committee) visiting Latvia, Lithuania, France, and Italy in order to gather first hand impressions regarding the situation of migrants. In addition, the info clip shows footage related to the EU Blue Card Directive, which establishes the conditions of entry and residence of highly qualified non-EU nationals in 25 EU countries.

European Parliament’s priorities and achievements (2019-2024): Reforming the migration and asylum rules

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, delivers a speech and attends a Town Hall discussion with young Latvians, organised by the Latvian Institute of International Affairs. This news item shows extracts from the statement of President Metsola and the exchange of views with students on European Union affairs.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia): extracts from the speech and Town Hall discussion with young Latvians

Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, meets with Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister and Krišjanis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs, during her official visit to Riga (Latvia). This news item shows extracts from the arrival of President Metsola, her meeting with Prime Minister Silina and their press point with journalists.

Official visit by Roberta METSOLA, EP President to Riga (Latvia) - meeting with Evika SILIŅA, Latvian Prime Minister and Krišjanis KARIŅŠ, Latvian Minister for Foreign Affairs: arrival, meeting and extracts from the press point

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