Latvia is an independent democratic and parliamentary Republic. Legislative power is in the hands of a single-chamber parliament—the Saeima, consisting of 100 deputies. Parliamentary elections take place every four years and every citizen of Latvia who has the right to vote can participate.  The Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers form the government of Latvia. The head of state is the President who is elected by the Saeima for a period of four years. The President signs laws, chooses the Prime Minister (who heads the government) and performs representative functions. Electoral system: proportional representation. Membership in international organizations:  Latvia is member of the European Union, NATO, United Nations Organization, Council of Europe, World Trade Organization, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Council of the Baltic Sea States, etc.