ppRIGA - Saeima today approved in principle amendments to the Constitution that say the presidential elections will be done by open ballot.p#13;#10;#13;#10;p82 Saeima members voted for the bill, Askolds Klavins (GreensFarmers) voted against it, while Valdis Kalnozols (GreensFarmers), Viktors Valainis (GreensFarmers) and Juris Vectirans (GreensFarmers) did not vote.p#13;#10;#13;#10;pProposals for review of the bill in the second reading will be accepted until September 11.p#13;#10;#13;#10;pAfter that, Saeima will have to review the amendments in the second and third readings.p#13;#10;#13;#10;pAs reported, Saeima Legal Affairs Committee will try to pass amendments to the Constitution, which stipulate that Saeima will elect the president of Latvia by open vote, before the Saeima elections in October - if Saeima agrees so, the committee#39;s chairman Gaidis Berzins (National Alliance) told LETA at the end of August.p#13;#10;#13;#10;pThe amendments were originally proposed by Latvian Alliance of Regions, they have since been supported by representatives of Harmony, National Alliance, and Unity.p#13;#10;p#13;#10;
