Saeima to convene for ceremonial session to mark 35 years since de facto restoration of independence

RIGA - On Friday, August 21 - the day that marks 35 years since the restoration of Latvia's independence - Saeima will convene for a ceremonial session, as Saeima Press Service informed LETA.

The meeting will begin at 12 noon.

During the meeting, speeches will be delivered by Saeima Speaker Daiga Mierina (Greens/Farmers) and Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (United List). Members of the Supreme Council who voted for the restoration of Latvia's independence, the president, and representatives of the foreign diplomatic corps have been invited to attend the meeting.

The ceremonial session will be aired live on Saeima website saeima.lv, the parliament's Facebook and YouTube accounts, as well as on Latvian Television.

Prior to the ceremonial session, members of parliament will participate in a flower-laying ceremony at the Freedom Monument.

On Friday, the original of the constitutional law "On the Statehood of the Republic of Latvia" will be on display at the Saeima building, along with photo exhibition "The Vote That Changed History".

On August 21, 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia passed the constitutional law "On the Statehood of the Republic of Latvia", marking the end of transition to "de facto" independence of Latvia since the declaration "On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia" that was adopted on May 4, 1990.

The Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia passed the law, "acknowledging our responsibility before the nation, the Declaration of May 4, 1990, the results of the popular vote, and the collapse of the constitutional state authority of the USSR on August 19, 1991."

Thus, on August 21, 1991, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia ruled that Latvia is an independent democratic republic, and the sovereign power of the State of Latvia is vested in the people of Latvia.

The bill was signed by the Supreme Council's Chairman Anatolijs Gorbunovs and Secretary Imants Daudiss.