Latvian parliament elects Edgars Rinkevics as new president

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In 2011, Edgars Rinkevics, Latvia's foreign minister, was elected as the new president by the 100-seat Saimaa legislature.

An Overview of the News

• In a close vote, Edgars Rinkevics secured 52 votes, more than the minimum needed to win the election.

• Edgars Rinkevics, aged 49, has previously held positions such as State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense and worked as a journalist with Latvian Radio in the 1990s.

Latvia:

• It is a country on the Baltic Sea, situated between Lithuania and Estonia.

• The capital of Latvia is Riga, known for its remarkable woodwork and Art Nouveau architecture.

• Riga's mediaeval Old Town contains St. Peter's Church is a popular tourist destination.

Capital - Riga

Prime minister - Krišjānis Kariņš

Official language - Latvian