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The Satversme (the Constitution) has not stipulated the number of Latvian ministries, this matter is decided by the legislator (the Saeima).
During the first parliamentary period of the Republic of Latvia, from 1918 to 1934, when the legislative power was delegated to the Constituent Assembly (later – the Saeima), activities of the Cabinet of Ministers were governed by Law on Structure of the Cabinet issued in 1925. It stipulated that the Cabinet would consist of 9 ministries – Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Transport, Ministry of National Welfare and Ministry of Justice.
Following the coup of 15 May 1934 another two ministries – the Ministry of Social Affairs and Ministry of Production and Commerce – were formed. Until 15 May 1934, Latvia had 18 Cabinets of Ministers. On 15 May 1934 K.Ulmanis established an authoritarian government.
When the Soviet Union annexed Latvia, it enforced its Constitution. On 24 August 1940, “People’s Parliament”, which was formed by Soviet authorities, adopted the Constitution of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic setting forth a regulatory framework for activities of the Cabinet of Ministers. In 1978, the new Constitution of the Latvian SSR and Law “On the Council of Ministers” were adopted. These legal acts were in force until restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia.
In January 1990, the Supreme Soviet issued the Law “On Composition of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia”, which stipulated that the Council of Ministers would consist of 19 ministries. It also stipulated that the Council would be composed of the Chairman of the Council, two Deputy Chairmen, ministers and a Minister of Government Affairs in charge of the governmental apparatus.
Following full restoration of Latvia’s independence in August 1991, the whole governmental system entered a period of transition and reorganisation. The number of ministries decreased to 16. The posts of Deputy Chairmen and Minister of Government Affairs were abolished and replaced by a post of state minister.
In 1993, after elections of the 5th Saeima, the Satversme of 1922 came into full effect. Consequently, the Council of Ministers was renamed as “Cabinet of Ministers” and regained the initial framework for operation within a traditional parliamentary system. On 16 June 1993, the Law “On Re-enforcement of the Law “On the Structure of the Cabinet of Ministers” of 1 April 1925” was issued (since 1 June 1996 – the Structure of Cabinet Law), which stipulated the composition of the Cabinet.
| Governments of the Republic of Latvia upon restoration of independence: 7 May 1990 – present |
| Prime Minister: Valdis Dombrovskis |
Since 12 March 2009 (Declaration) |
| Prime Minister: Ivars Godmanis |
20 December 2007 – 12 March 2009 (Declaration) |
| Prime Minister: Aigars Kalvītis |
7 November 2006 – 20 December 2007 (Declaration) |
| Prime Minister: Aigars Kalvītis |
2 December 2004 – 7 November 2006 (Declaration) |
| Prime Minister: Indulis Emsis |
9 March 2004 – 2 December 2004 (Declaration) |
| Prime Minister: Einars Repše, |
7 November 2002 – 9 March 2004 (Declaration) |
| Prime Minister: Andris Bērziņš |
5 May 2000 – 7 November 2002 (Declaration) |
| Prime Minister: Andris Šķēle |
16 July 1999 – 5 May 2000 |
| Prime Minister: Vilis Krištopāns |
26 November 1998 – 16 July 1999 |
| Prime Minister: Guntars Krasts |
7 August 1997 – 26 November 1998 |
| Prime Minister: Andris Šķēle |
13 February 1997 – 7 August 1997 |
| Prime Minister: Andris Šķēle |
21 December 1995 – 13 February 1997 |
| Prime Minister: Māris Gailis |
15 September 1994 – 21 December 1995 |
| Prime Minister: Valdis Birkavs |
3 August 1993 – 15 September 1994 |
| Chairman of the Council of Ministers: Ivars Godmanis |
7 May 1990 – 3 August 1993 |
| Governments of the Republic of Latvia during the first independence period: 19 November 1918 – 20 June 1940 |
| Prime Minister: Kārlis Ulmanis |
18 May 1934 – 20 June 1940 |
| Prime Minister: Kārlis Ulmanis |
17 March 1934 – 15 May 1934 |
| Prime Minister: Ādolfs Bļodnieks |
24 March 1933 – 16 March 1934 |
| Prime Minister: Marģers Skujenieks |
6 December 1931 – 23 March 1933 |
| Prime Minister: Kārlis Ulmanis |
27 March 1931 – 5 December 1931 |
| Prime Minister: Hugo Celmiņš |
1 December 1928 – 26 March 1931 |
| Prime Minister: Pēteris Juraševskis |
24 January 1928 - 30 November 1928 |
| Prime Minister: Marģers Skujenieks |
19 December 1926 – 23 January 1928 |
| Prime Minister: Arturs Alberings |
7 May 1926 – 18 December 1926 |
| Prime Minister: Kārlis Ulmanis |
24 December 1925 – 6 May 1926 |
| Prime Minister: Hugo Celmiņš |
19 December 1924 – 23 December 1925 |
| Prime Minister: Voldemārs Zāmuēls |
27 January 1924 – 18 December 1924 |
| Prime Minister: Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics |
28 June 1923 – 26 January 1924 |
| Prime Minister: Jānis Pauļuks |
27 January 1923 – 27 June 1923 |
| Prime Minister: Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics |
19 June 1921 – 26 January 1923 |
| Prime Minister: Kārlis Ulmanis, |
12 June 1920 – 18 June 1921 |
| Prime Minister: Kārlis Ulmanis, |
9 December 1919 – 11 June 1920 |
| Prime Minister: Kārlis Ulmanis |
14 July 1919 – 8 December 1919 |
| Prime Minister: Kārlis Ulmanis |
19 November 1918 – 13 July 1919 |
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