On Wednesday, 29 May, Latvia’s Saeima holds an extraordinary meeting. The meeting’s agenda is the election of a new state president, as confirmed by Saeima’s press-service.

Saeima’s deputies have picked three potential presidential candidates: Egils Levits, Juris Jansons and Didzis Šmits.

Saeima’s Mandates, Ethics and Submissions Committee has submitted a report to the Saeima. In it the committee explains that all candidates fit requirements detailed in the State President’s Election Law.

Before the state president’s election the Saeima will hold debates. Voting will be performed using voting signs.

Live broadcast is available here.

This will be the first election of the state president to be held openly in Latvia.

If none of the candidates receive at least 51 votes in the first election stage, a second vote will be organized. If no president is elected in the second stage, voting will continue, excluding candidates who receive the least number of votes each time. If the last remaining candidate fails to secure 51 votes in the Saeima, new elections will be organized.