“I thank all the people who feel this strength within, who appreciate the opportunity to be citizens of the European Union, and who protect our common home together,” said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Thursday, 9 May, launching the Europe Day Picnic next to the main building of the Saeima. The event was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Latvia’s accession to the EU.

On Thursday, 9 May the Saeima adopted in the third reading amendments to the Criminal Law in order to criminalise attempts to influence the results of elections with the help of the so called “deep fake” technology and to ensure voters’ right to participate in fair and free elections.

According to the amendments to the Education Law adopted by the Saeima on Thursday, 9 May, students will be able to refuse to learn Russian as a second foreign language. If a student refuses to learn Russian until June 21, this year, they will be able to learn another foreign language from the next school year.

“It seems unbelievable that a country can transform from an occupied state to a strong and developed member of the European Union and NATO within a single generation. Our integration into a shared space of security and values has fostered our growth and development. It has allowed democratic values and principles to take deep roots within our society,” said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Wednesday, 8 May, addressing the ambassadors extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the European Union member states to the Republic of Latvia. The ambassadors gathered in the Parliament on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of Latvia’s accession to the European Union.

“Latvia beats in each of our hearts! We are Latvia—with our history, our countryside, cities, and people who hold our future in their hands,” said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Saturday, 4 May, at the ceremonial sitting of the Saeima in honour of Latvia’s restoration of independence. The Speaker of the Saeima emphasised that, on this festive day, we pay homage to those who, through their thoughts and actions, dared to bring the idea of Latvia to life.

On Thursday, 2 May, the Saeima decided to send troops of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) to participate in the European Union (EU) maritime security operation for the protection of freedom of navigation in connection with the crisis in the Red Sea (EUNAVFOR ASPIDES) until 19 February of the following year.

The Minister of Finance will be authorised to purchase new fixed income securities of joint stock company Air Baltic Corporation on behalf of the State. This is provided for by the decision  taken by the Saeima on Thursday, 2 May.

“I appreciate that you have shown such passionate interest in the developments and political processes taking place in the country. Youth participation is important because you are our future. You will be the ones sitting here at one point, and this historic moment will remind you of your first steps in politics. I hope and believe that you will be the future statesmen and stateswomen," said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima on Friday, 26 April, addressing the participants of the 11th Youth Parliament.

The Minister of Finance will have the right to purchase fixed income securities of state capital companies, this is provided in amendments to the Law on Budget and Financial Management adopted by the Saeima in the final reading on Thursday, April 25.