Some of this can be attributed, however, to the difficulty of the transition from the Soviet regime to a pluralist system. A major domestic political issue has been the interrelated problems of citizenship and relationships with Russia. The suppression of Latvian language and culture during the Soviet era has left a legacy of hostility between ethnic Latvians and Russians which is only gradually being overcome. Nonetheless, the first steps have been with the signing of an Association Agreement with the EU and, in 1995, admission to the Council of Europe. All Latvian governments, irrespective of their composition or lifetime, have had their sights firmly fixed on these two objectives.
Executive power is held by the prime minister who heads an appointed cabinet of ministers.
The head of state, the president, is elected by, and chairs, the Saiema . Terms and Conditions apply.