Luīze Monta Remese Elected President of the Latvian Students’ Union
On Saturday, March 14, 2026, the 31st Congress of the Latvian Students’ Union (LSA) took place at the University of Latvia, where the organization’s members elected a new president. With 105 votes in favor, 1 vote against, and no abstentions, Luīze Monta Remese was confirmed in the position. This will be Remese’s first term as LSA President, beginning April 14 of this year.
“Representing students’ interests at the national level requires a clear focus and consistent action. As president, I will prioritise strengthening the quality of studies, creating a respectful and safe study environment, addressing the availability and quality of student dormitories, ensuring the full inclusion of international students, and strengthening student participation in decision-making. My goal is to ensure that these issues do not remain only at the discussion level but are transformed into concrete solutions and tangible improvements in students’ everyday lives,” commented Luīze Monta Remese after being elected.
In 2025, Remese served as Chair of the Board of the Student Union of Rīga Stradiņš University. In 2024, she led the foreign affairs direction and has been active for three years as an LSA council member, representing the interests of RSU students. Since spring 2025, Remese has worked as LSA Policy Coordinator, primarily focusing on changes to the academic career model, issues concerning international students, and integrating international experience into LSA’s work. In parallel, she has coordinated the LSA student-expert network and chaired the LSA Audit Commission for two years.
In her vision for the presidency, one of the main priorities is consistent engagement with national-level issues and purposeful representation of students’ interests in policy-making processes. She emphasized the importance of placing students’ concerns more prominently on the political and public agenda, with particular attention to improving the quality and accessibility of student dormitories. At the same time, strengthening a safe and modern study environment in higher education institutions has been identified as another key priority.
Remese also highlighted the need to continue strengthening the Latvian Students’ Union’s role in shaping higher education policy. This includes active involvement in the implementation of the institutional accreditation system for higher education institutions, as well as participation in the creation of a new institution that will replace the Higher Education Council in the future, along with other related policy matters.
She also emphasized the importance of international cooperation, noting that LSA will continue its active engagement with the European Students’ Union and other partner organizations. This will be implemented through participation in international projects, strengthening communication with partner organizations, and promoting exchange of experience with national student unions from other countries. Remese also stressed the need to increase and systematize the involvement of international students in student self-governments and interest representation within Latvian higher education institutions. To achieve this goal, efforts will be made not only to improve the availability of information in English but also to strengthen communication with international students and make participation opportunities clearer and more accessible.
In terms of organizational development, special attention will be given to volunteer engagement, improving LSA’s internal communication with member organizations, and enhancing the transparency of the organization’s activities. Various projects within the organization are also planned to continue.
In addition to the presidential election, Congress participants approved the organization’s annual report, heard the Audit Commission’s report on LSA activities in 2025, and approved the budget for 2026/2027. Meanwhile, the election of the two remaining board members is scheduled to take place at an upcoming LSA Council meeting.
