Information about the City of Riga

The government of Riga in the western understanding is just ten years old. Not until 1991 was the City Council placed in a position to be responsible for running the City. Riga and other municipalities in Latvia became self-governing entities in 1991. They had to prepare their own budgets and manage their own finances, they had to pass by laws and carry out their own planning. The responsibility for making decisions on all of these issues were vested in the elected Council. The Riga City Council consisting of 60 deputies elected at large every 4 years is established on the basis of party factions. They work in 10 committees.

The work of the of the Riga City Council is organized by the Chairman, deputy chairmen, the Presidium, City executive Director, District Executive Directors and the staff of municipal institutions and enterprises.

The Presidium of the Riga City Council consists of the Chairman of the Riga City Council and the representatives delegated by the political parties or party blocks elected to the City Council.

Riga is divided into 6 administrative districts:

Map source: City of Riga Environmental Strategy 2000 - 2010