<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Latvia<nl>Government</hdr><body>
<list>
<item><hi format=bold>Names:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional long form:</hi> Republic of Latvia
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional short form:</hi> Latvia
<item>• <hi format=ital>local long form:</hi> Latvijas Republika
<item>• <hi format=ital>local short form:</hi> Latvija
<item>• <hi format=ital>former:</hi> Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Digraph:</hi> LG
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> republic
<item><hi format=bold>Capital:</hi> Riga
<item><hi format=bold>Administrative divisions:</hi> 26 counties (singular—rajons) and 7 municipalities*: Aizkraukles Rajons, Aluksnes Rajons, Balvu Rajons, Bauskas Rajons, Cesu Rajons, Daugavpils*, Daugavpils Rajons, Dobeles Rajons, Gulbenes Rajons, Jekabpils Rajons, Jelgava*, Jelgavas Rajons, Jurmala*, Kraslavas Rajons, Kuldigas Rajons, Leipaja*, Liepajas Rajons, Limbazu Rajons, Ludzas Rajons, Madonas Rajons, Ogres Rajons, Preiju Rajons, Rezekne*, Rezeknes Rajons, Riga*, Rigas Rajons, Saldus Rajons, Talsu Rajons, Tukuma Rajons, Valkas Rajons, Valmieras Rajons, Ventspils*, Ventspils Rajons
<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 6 September 1991 (from Soviet Union)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 18 November (1918)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> newly elected Parliament in 1993 restored the 1933 constitution
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on civil law system
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> 18 years of age; universal
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> President Guntis ULMANIS (since 7 July 1993); Saeima elected President ULMANIS in the third round of balloting on 7 July 1993
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Valdis BIRKAVS (since 20 July 1993)
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Council of Ministers; appointed by the Supreme Council
<item><hi format=bold>Parliament (Saeima):</hi> elections last held 5-6 June 1993 (next to be held NA June 1996); results—percent of vote by party NA; seats—(100 total) LC 36, LNNK 15, Concord for Latvia 13, LZS 12, Equal Rights 7, LKDS 6, TUB 6, DCP 5
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> Latvian Way Union (LC), Valdis BIRKAVS; Latvian Farmers Union (LZS), Alvars BERKIS; Latvian National Independence Movement (LNNK), Andrejs KRASTINS, Aristids LAMBERGS, cochairmen; Concord for Latvia, Janis JURKANS; Equal Rights, Sergejs DIMANIS; Christian Democrat Union (LKDS), Peteris CIMDINS, Andris SAULITIS, Janis RUSKO; Fatherland and Freedom (TUB), Maris GRINBLATS, Roberts MILBERGS, Oigerts DZENTIS; Democratic Center (DCP), Ints CALITIS; Popular Front of Latvia (LTF), Uldis AUGSTKALNS
<item><hi format=bold>Member of:</hi> BIS, CBSS, CCC, CE (guest), CSCE, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NACC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO
<item><hi format=bold>Diplomatic representation in US:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of mission:</hi> Ambassador Ojars Eriks KALNINS
<item>• <hi format=ital>chancery:</hi> 4325 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
<item>• <hi format=ital>telephone:</hi> (202) 726-8213 and 8214