RIGA -- Lawmakers elected Defence Minister Raimonds Vejonis Latvia's new president at an extraordinary parliament session on Wednesday, the local media reported.
It took five rounds of secret voting to ensure Vejonis' victory in Latvia's 2015 presidential election.
Vejonis was elected president in a vote of 55 to 42.
Rival candidates Martins Bondars of the opposition Latvian Association of Regions (LRA), Sergejs Dolgopolovs of the opposition leftist Harmony party, and Egils Levits, a judge at the European Court of Justice, were eliminated in the first four rounds of voting earlier on Wednesday.
After Vejonis' victory was announced, he pledged to continue his work for the benefit of the Latvian state and people.
He promised to strengthen Latvia's national security, to promote regional and national development, as well as the prosperity of the people.
"I will work so that we all, the people, political parties, the government and parliament, work as a team and decisions are aimed at ensuring national growth. It is an honor to serve Latvia," Vejonis said in his first speech as president-elect.
Levits, who was Vejonis' closest rival in the presidential election and was eliminated in the last round of voting, congratulated Vejonis on his victory.
Levits told journalists he hoped Vejonis would be firm and unyielding to influences. He also voiced confidence that Vejonis would make a good leader.
Vejonis, 48, has served in several previous Latvian governments as environmental protection and regional development minister. He graduated from the University of Latvia with a master's degree in biology.
Vejonis has twice been elected to the Latvian parliament and has been holding the portfolio of defence minister in Latvia's current center-right cabinet. Enditem
