Latvia

Parliament

Oversight

Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities

Oversight tools

Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, Chapter 2, article 25





Rules of Procedure of the Saeima, Chapter 6, article 172
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, Chapter 2, article 25





Rules of Procedure of the Saeima, Chapter 6, article 172
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, Chapter 6, article 84, Chapter 7, article 88, Rules of Procedure of the Saeima, Chapter 3, article 25, 31 (1), Law on the Bank of Latvia, Chapter 3, article 22
Approximate number of government appointments subject to parliamentary approval
5
Number of written questions asked, per year
91 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
90 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, Chapter 2, Art. 27
Rules of Procedure of the Saeima, Chapter 5, Art. 124 - 130
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
11 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Notes
In 2021, 32 inquiries were submitted. Of those, none moved forward as 5 were withdrawn and 27 were rejected.

Head of State and/or Government

Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament approves a nomination for the Head of Government
Notes
The Prime Minister is nominated by the President of Latvia and must (along with the Ministers chosen by the Prime Minister) be able to obtain the support of a parliamentary majority in the Saeima and maintain parliament's confidence.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, Chapter 4, Art. 56 & 59
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State Some parliaments designate the Head of State or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament elects the Head of State
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, Chapter 3, Art. 35 - 36

Impeachment and confidence motions

Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
The Head of Government
The Head of State
Individual members of the Executive
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, Art. 51 (the President) and 59.
If the Parliament dismisses the Prime Minister, the entire Cabinet must resign. If, however, the Parliament dismisses an individual Minister, then another person is invited to replace the Minister and the Government may continue.
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Not applicable
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
The Head of Government
Individual members of the Executive
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, Chapter 4, Art. 59
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Not applicable
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
No