“Latvia is a state governed by the rule of law – there is no doubt about that, but the rule of law must be strengthened, and everyone must do so within the area of their responsibility,” said State President Egils Levits concluding the discussion organized by the Supreme Court at the Conversation Festival LAMPA and giving 6 out of 10 points to the rule of law in Latvia.

The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Aigars Strupiss emphasized that the rule of law cannot be ensured only by the courts, which form the last link in the chain of justice; this can only be done by all branches of state power – the legislator, the executive and the judiciary. Therefore, the Supreme Court held this discussion, inviting the State President and senior officials of all branches of state power to agree that strengthening the rule of law is a state priority. Furthermore, this should be number one priority, and not one of the twenty priorities as pointed out by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, emphasizing that this would be accomplished only if the rule of law is perceived as the basis for the existence of the state. This depends on each person, on each official, but the tone for this position shall be set by senior officials.

President Egils Levits, Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima Inese Libina-Egnere, President of the Constitutional Court Ineta Ziemele and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Aigars Strupiss took part in the discussion “Building the Rule of Law Together”, which was one of the central events of the Conversation Festival LAMPA.

The officials also agreed that necessary conditions for strengthening the rule of law are the responsibility of each person within their area of authority, the cooperation and the dialogue. The starting point of such a high-level dialogue was the meeting of the heads of the state constitutional bodies convened by the State President at the beginning of this year to agree on the principles of state action in emergency situation; the aforementioned discussion organized by the Supreme Court also served as an informal dialogue.

See the discussion “Building the Rule of Law Together” can be found here (in Latvian): https://www.facebook.com/FestivalsLampa/videos/2753714551532511/?extid=ytw42VF49HYDR6nO

 

Information prepared by

Rasma Zvejniece, the Head of the Division of Communication of the Supreme Court

E-mail: rasma.zvejniece@at.gov.lv, telephone: +371 67020396, +371 28652211

 

Photos by the Supreme Court and the Chancery of the State President