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Latvia Government 1996

Names:

conventional long form:

Republic of Latvia

conventional short form:

Latvia

local long form:

Latvijas Republika

local short form:

Latvija

former:

Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic

Digraph:

Type:

republic

Capital:

Riga

Administrative divisions:

26 counties (singular - rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preiju Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons

Independence:

6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)

National holiday:

Independence Day, 18 November (1918)

Constitution:

newly elected Parliament in 1993 restored the 1933 constitution

Legal system:

based on civil law system

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:

chief of state:

President Guntis ULMANIS (since 7 July 1993); Parliament (Saeima) elected President ULMANIS in the third round of balloting on 7 July 1993

head of government:

Prime Minister Maris GAILIS (since September 1994)

cabinet:

Council of Ministers; appointed by the Supreme Council

Legislative branch:

unicameral

Parliament (Saeima):

elections last held 5-6 June 1993 (next to be held NA October 1995); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (100 total) LC 36, LNNK 15, Concord for Latvia 13, LZS 12, Equal Rights 7, LKDS 6, TUB 6, DCP 5

Judicial branch:

Supreme Court

Political parties and leaders:

Latvian Way Union (LC), Valdis BIRKAVS; Latvian Farmers Union (LZS), Alvars BERKIS; Latvian National Independence Movement (LNNK), Andrejs KRASTINS, Aristids LAMBERGS, cochairmen; Concord for Latvia, Janis JURKANS; Equal Rights, Sergejs DIMANIS; Christian Democrat Union (LKDS), Peteris CIMDINS, Andris SAULITIS, Janis RUSKO; Fatherland and Freedom (TUB), Maris GRINBLATS, Roberts MILBERGS, Oigerts DZENTIS; Democratic Center (DCP), Ints CALITIS; Popular Front of Latvia (LTF), Uldis AUGSTKALNS

Member of:

BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NACC, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WEU (associate partner), WHO, WIPO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in US:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Ojars Eriks KALNINS

chancery:

4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone:

[1] (202) 726-8213, 8214

FAX:

[1] (202) 726-6785

US diplomatic representation:

chief of mission:

Ambassador Ints M, SILINS

embassy:

Raina Boulevard 7, Riga 226050

mailing address:

use embassy street address

telephone:

[371] (2) 213-962

FAX:

[371] 882-0047 (cellular)

Flag:

two horizontal bands of maroon (top and bottom), white (middle, narrower than other two bands)

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