As the official anniversary day of 100 years of the Presidental Institution of Latvia on 14 November approaches, Egils Levits and Valdis Zatlers (President of Latvia during 2007–2011) met with contestants of ‘Put yourself in President’s shoes and write the anniversary message to the people’ competition to answer all kinds of questions about the everyday life, work and role of Latvian presidents to young people during the discussion ‘How easy is it to be a president in democracy?’.
Riga Castle Festival Hall welcomed more than 350 kids from various places and schools across Latvia who took part in school competition ‘Put yourself in President’s shoes and write the anniversary message to the people’.
Egils Levits and Valdis Zatlers both underlined that as presidents of Latvia they are primarily accountable to people of Latvia. Both presidents mentioned that involvement of all Latvians is crucial for building a perfect democracy in our country.
Youngsters asked very serious questions during the meeting, such as how do heads of state work with Saeima and prime ministers, how presidential speeches are written and how President Levits and President Zatlers evaluate Latvia’s progress towards green circular economy and current geopolitical environment in the Baltics.
Young people also asked what are the hardest aspects of being a head of state, at what time the workday of presidents begins and ends, and what presidents do in their spare time, as well as other questions.
