LTV and LSM will be providing coverage of the proceedings and ceremonies. Things got under way with a special meeting of the Saeima (parliament) at 09:00 at which the new President took his oath of office.
Speaking to members of parliament, Rinkēvičs said that during his presidency, he promised to stand up for the creation of a modern and strong Latvia, for a legal and just Latvia, for the well-being of the people, and for an inclusive and respectful society.
The President emphasized that Latvia should be legal and fair to everyone, and that everyone "should feel that they belong, legally protected and safe".
"The state must be both legal and fair, and fair not only in the abstract, but also in specific situations.
"The state cannot function solely from the perspective of force or legal formalism. Every public official must change his attitude and legal awareness – we must stop obsessing over the process, instructions and paragraphs and focus on the result and support for our fellow human beings," said Rinkēvičs.
At 10:30, the new President lays flowers at the Freedom Monument and then at 11:00 he will lay flowers at the graves of the first Latvian President, Jānis Čakste, and the first Foreign Minister, Zigfrids Anna Meierovics.
From 16:00 there will be a ceremonial reception at Rīga Castle to honor the new head of state, and later in the evening he will attend a performance at the Song and Dance Festival, which happily coincides with inauguration day.
