Latvia's government is a parliamentary republic where the main governing body is the parliament.
The parliament is elected by the citizens of Latvia. Their independence has a complicated
history, but Independence Day is still celebrated on November 18 each year. In the table on the right,
you can see the history of their independence.
| November 18, 1918 | From Soviet Russia |
| May 4, 1990 | Declared from Soviet Union |
| September 6, 1991 | Recognized by Soviet Union |
If you are born in Latvia, that does not make you a citizen. If you want to have Latvian citizenship,
at least one of your parents must be a current citizen. The age to vote in Latvia is 18,
like the US and Canada. So if you are under 18, you have to wait to vote.
The president is elected by the Parliament and is allowed to have two 4 year terms. The
Prime Minister is elected by the President, but is confirmed by the Parliament. The dictionary
definition (Oxford Languages) of parliament is "in the highest legislature, consisting of the sovereign,
the House of Lords, and the House of Commons."
| Position | Person | Since |
|---|---|---|
| Cheif of State | President Edgars Rinkevics | July 8, 2023 |
| Head of Government | Prime Minister Evika Silina | September 15, 2023 |
| Diplomatic Representation in US | Ambassador Maris Selga | September 16, 2019 |
| Diplomatic Representation from US | Ambassador Christopher Robinson | February 21, 2023 |
The national anthem named "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia) is written by Karlis Baumanis.