On Thursday, 7 February, the Saeima adopted the amendments to the Latvian National Opera and Ballet Law, which were declared urgent, stipulating that Members of Board of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet shall henceforth be appointed for a term of five years instead of the previous three years.

According to Arvils Ašeradens, Chair of the Education, Culture and Science Committee responsible for the progress of the Draft Law, the amendments were declared urgent as the deadline for holding a competition for the position of Member of Board of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet is approaching.

To broaden the pool of potential candidates, precisions have also been made with regard to requirements. The changes define that a Member of Board of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet shall be a person with a work experience of at least five years that is appropriate for carrying out the tasks of Member of Board professionally. The condition stating that Members of Board shall have knowledge and understanding of the operation and management of State-owned companies was retained.

The Law previously required the person to have a work experience of five years in a managing position in a State or local government institution or in a medium or large company.

The annotation indicates that the amendments match the provisions of the Latvian National Opera and Ballet Law with the provisions of the Law on Governance of Capital Shares of a Public Person and Capital Companies.

The amendments to the Latvian National Opera and Ballet Law promoted by the Education, Culture and Science Committee of the Saeima will enter into force on 1 March. The changes to the term of office for Members of Board will not apply to the current Board, whose term of office is three years from the date of appointment.

Saeima Press Service