RIGA, February 21 - RAPSI, Vadim Radionov. Latvias parliament has shot down on Thursday a bill on direct mayoral elections submitted by an opposition party alliance, the parliament's press service said.

In Latvia, mayors are elected by local government members and mayoral candidates are nominated by political parties.

The pro-Russian Harmony Center alliance has drafted a bill to change the procedure to direct elections and to give Latvian citizens the right to nominate candidates. The alliance said the bill aims to restore people's trust in politicians and to ensure that local governments adjust to better satisfy the demands of the people.

The majority of Latvian MPs voted against this bill.