Honourable President,
Honourable Prime Minister,
Esteemed President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola,
Dear colleagues, Speakers of the Parliaments of Iceland, Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Montenegro,
Honourable Members of the Saeima,
Ministers, Excellencies,
Honourable Members of the Supreme Council of Latvia, restorers of our independence,
Fellow compatriots,
We have gathered here today at the Latvian National Theatre to celebrate two centenaries that are important to our country: the centenary of the first sitting of the 1st Saeima, and the centenary of the entry into force of our Constitution, the Satversme.
We have come here, in the National Theatre, where the Republic of Latvia was proclaimed, to honour democracy and parliamentarism, to honour the strength of Latvia and the fact that our voices have always been crucial to the destiny of Latvia. That was the case during the founding of the state of Latvia and during the restoration of Latvian independence, and it is true today as we create the future of Latvia—the continuation of us.
I
What was it that helped to move towards democracy when founding the state? Was it our historical and social experience that urged us to make our own laws? Or was it the world‑wide breeze that whispered about representative democracy and the principle of the separation of powers as the modern trend of politics at the time?
“The Latvian people can only live in a democratic state,” reportedly exclaimed Krišjānis Valdemārs, a proud Latvian, during a student gathering.
“The most complete democracy” was demanded by Miķelis Valters who, 15 years before the founding of the state of Latvia, advocated for statehood, the convening of the Constitutional Assembly and the establishment of a parliament.
In 1917, the Provisional National Council of Latvia unequivocally proposed a path to parliamentarism and the establishment of an independent, democratic Republic of Latvia.
In the creation of an independent Latvian state, our ideal became clearly apparent—principles of democracy according to the Western European tradition.
The demand for democracy manifested itself in the first two Articles of the Constitution: Latvia is an independent democratic republic, and the sovereign power of the State of Latvia is vested in the people of Latvia.
The essence of these Articles may never be amended, so long as the will for the freedom and independence of Latvians continues to exist. Political will to have our own Latvian state.
The foundation of the legal system of our state has always been based on democracy, regardless of the hardships we have experienced.
Freedom, independence, democracy—these are the highest values laid at the foundation of our state and its system.
II
Dear audience,
It is surprising and unique that our Constitution, adopted 100 years ago, turned out to be so powerful. It has served as a cornerstone of Latvia’s statehood in the most difficult of times.
As reminded by experts on constitutional rights, neither the coup of Ulmanis, nor the German or the Soviet occupation, which lasted for almost half a century, could diminish the political and legal importance of our fundamental law.
Our Constitution has been a safe mainstay in all our battles for freedom and independence.
The Constitution was the basis for our politicians and diplomats in exile to explain to Western European countries that Latvia’s incorporation into the Soviet Union was illegal.
The Constitution was the foundation for organising the national resistance movement against both the Soviet and the Nazi regimes.
Ultimately, faithfulness to the principles of the Constitution contributed to the success of the Latvian National Awakening, leading to the actual restoration of independence. The Articles of the Constitution laying down the constitutional legal foundation of the Republic of Latvia have been in force since 4 May 1990, and the Constitution entered into effect fully on 21 August 1991.
Over the years of its existence, the Constitution has been amended 15 times. The fundamental law of Latvia has been supplemented with a new Chapter: Fundamental Human Rights. A Preamble to the Constitution was introduced to clearly define the essence of Latvia’s statehood, the aims and values of the state. The status of the Latvian language as the only official language of the state has been enshrined in the Constitution. There have been a few more amendments, but the text of the Constitution has not been fundamentally amended or changed over time.
Through all the times, the Constitution has ensured the protection of our national interests. It is a testament to the identity of our people and our state.
III
Dear colleagues,
In this hall, there are many Members of the 13th Saeima, who have experienced challenging times together. We worked on draft laws important for the state and the society, we worked during a pandemic, and, since March this year, we worked knowing that a criminal war is being waged nearby, started by Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.
Thank you for your work, Members of the 13th Saeima.
We all were and will continue to be a part of Latvia’s statehood. Now, the Members of the 14th Saeima will take their places in the Parliament.
Members of the Saeima should not only fulfil their primary duty—being a legislature—but also look much more broadly on how to empower the country and fulfil the expectations of the mandate entrusted by its citizens.
Colleagues—current and future ones! We know that, over time, the attitudes towards the work of the Parliament have been mixed.
In the interwar period, as well as after the restoration of independence, there have been occasional calls to change the Saeima election system and even to adopt a new Constitution.
Since the restoration of independence, already ten convocations of the Saeima have been elected. Once in the history of Latvia the Saeima was even dissolved.
There have been complaints that, allegedly, Members of the Saeima do not sufficiently heed the wishes of the people and that the necessary connection between MPs and voters is lacking.
Why do people in Latvia and other countries in Europe and the world talk about the mutual disconnect between politics and society?
One of the possible reasons might be the “speed of culture”, where “culture” means a set of human knowledge, beliefs, behaviours, and demands.
Influenced by technology, culture changes at an increasingly faster speed, whereas politics have been growing in complexity already for decades. The essence of the internet era is to simplify and shorten everything, pursue symbolism, and depict it in a single image. By design, politics cannot be fast, because they tackle other issues.
How to maintain and strengthen the connection, so essential for both sides?
Society should realise more often that it is in fact a participant in policy development.
Politicians, however, have to ensure that the society receives well‑prepared information more, that they pay better attention to topics important to the society, and, undoubtedly, show capacity for change.
IV
Dear attendees,
Politics are already striving to keep up with the speed set by technology. Currently, this is most clearly apparent in Ukraine. It is Ukraine that helps the world grasp the inescapable collision of two worlds: the Rashist russkij mir—the so-called Russian world—and Western democracy, as well as the worldview forged in the freedom fights of the Ukrainian people.
The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky’s communication with the Ukrainian people and the international community is an example now known by all. We also see how the Ukrainian society represents their country’s politics in the public space.
The manner and tools of communication may change with the times, but the substance will always be important. And values will remain as the most important.
Looking at the politics of Ukraine, the roles of the leader and the people can also be understood more clearly. At the moment of danger, the entire society unites to defend their country and democracy.
This is exactly what I saw in Ukraine when I visited Kyiv on 24 March, one month after the Russian invasion. The Verkhovna Rada, the Parliament of Ukraine, convened, as they had to adopt several urgent laws. MPs arrived from all over Ukraine, including from the front line.
They knew they had to be ready, because the President of State and the entire government were also ready.
V
Dear compatriots,
What is Latvia’s greatest pride? The fact that Latvian people, over a long line of generations, have created the Latvian state. They have conceived, established, cultivated, unfortunately, lost, and later restored and upheld Latvia.
From the birth of national self‑confidence to a democratic state system. From the Constitution that protects the statehood of Latvia to our presence in Europe and NATO, which is important for the existence of the state.
Every generation has done what they could so that Latvia would exist.
Over one hundred years ago, in the Latvian War of Independence, the Latvian Army managed to uphold the independence of the state with military means.
When Latvians lost their statehood in 1940, the state of Latvia continued to live in at least our hearts.
As soon as we had the chance, we restored our statehood. Now, already for over thirty years, we have been living in a parliamentary democracy, and Latvia gains from it.
Today, we are the people working so that Latvia would continue to exist in the future. We are the people who must uphold Latvia—for us, our children and their children.
We realise that, in order to uphold our country, we need to focus, it is our joint responsibility. We are aware that the geopolitical dimension will always be the benchmark for evaluating the main tasks of our state.
Today, our most important tasks are as follows: national security, including the strengthening of our borders, complete energy independence from Russia, and a steep increase in GDP so that our people could enjoy social security and wellbeing. This must be our aspiration. This must be our focus.
In the next four years, I wish the 14th Saeima and the new government to show that they can successfully work for the benefit of Latvia!
I call on all of us, all the people of Latvia to unite over our highest values. Freedom, independence, democracy.
Long live Latvia!
God bless Latvia!
Please stand up for the National Anthem of Latvia.