Several Latvian lawmakers stumble over parliamentary oath

All 100 lawmakers elected to Latvia’s 15th Saeima, the country’s parliament, took their oath or solemn pledge on Tuesday, though several stumbled over the wording and had to repeat it, LSM reported.

The pledge states: “I, upon assuming the duties of a member of the Saeima, swear (solemnly promise) before the people of Latvia to be faithful to Latvia, strengthen its sovereignty and the Latvian language as the sole state language, defend Latvia as an independent and democratic state, and perform my duties honestly and to the best of my ability. I undertake to observe the Constitution and laws of Latvia.”

Most lawmakers read the pledge aloud, while only a few recited it from memory. Natālija Ābola and Jānis Dombrava left out the words “before the people of Latvia”. Baiba Braže of New Unity said “conscience” instead of “ability”; Rūdolfs Brēmanis of Sovereign Power/Alliance of Young Latvians omitted the word “and”; and Jekaterina Ivanova of Latvia First omitted “Latvia”. Mārtiņš Prīsis also had to repeat the text after making a mistake.

Līga Meņģelsone of the United List had to deliver her oath or pledge three times. Four lawmakers took their oaths in Latgalian: Rolands Keišs of the National Alliance, Viktorija Pleškāne of Latvia First, Andrejs Svilāns and Juris Viļums of the United List.

Before taking the oath, United List lawmaker Pēteris Dimants suggested that the newly elected members do so together to save a couple of hours. Linda Liepiņa of Latvia First, as she did four years ago, recited the Lord’s Prayer before making her pledge.