Straume got involved in Latvian politics during the Awakening in 1988, participating in different independence organizations.
In 1993 he joined the party "For Fatherland and Freedom" and became one of its leaders. He was elected to the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Saeima. From 1998 to 2002 he took the post as the Speaker of the Saeima.
Later Straume took several positions in state companies, like the Rīga Freeport, Latvian Postal Service and others. He left politics in 2011.
Condolences to Straume's family, friends, and colleagues.