Greens/Farmers submit proposal on popular vote for president

RIGA - Lawmakers from the Union of Greens and Farmers have submitted Constitutional amendments to the parliament, proposing to elect the Latvian president in a popular vote by Latvia's eligible voters.

The Constitutional amendments have been signed by MPs Armands Krauze, Viktors Valainis, Gunars Kutris, Augusts Brigmanis, Daiga Mierina, Harijs Rokpelnis, Gundars Daudze, Liga Klavina, Andrejs Vilks, Liga Kozlovska and Uldis Augulis.

The proposal provides that the Latvian president is elect in a general, equal, direct and secret vote.

Lawmakers explain that there has been a discussion in the society and among experts on a popular vote on the president for a while already.

"Saeima lawmakers of Greens/Farmers believe that by giving Latvian citizens the chance to elect the president, they will also have a possibility to influence political processes and get engaged in decision making in the country," lawmakers said.

"The events in world and reaction of state leaders to them, authority in international relations, forums require a larger mandate for the president, and this could be done by the respective Constitutional amendments," the party said.