RIGA, Jan 5 (LETA) - The long-time chairman of Jelgava Regional Council, Ziedonis Caune (Latvian Farmers' Union), who previously announced his intention to resign due to political pressure, was on Wednesday removed from office in a no-confidence vote.

Caune was absent from the meeting of the regional council whose members voted on his removal. The chairman of Jelgava Regional Council was removed from office by 11 votes to four and three abstentions. 

Seven members of Jelgava Regional Council tabled the no-confidence motion against Caune on December 21. 

At Wednesday's meeting, the regional council also approved amendments to the municipality's regulations, setting order in which the council's deputy chairs will take turns to lead the council as acting chairs. 

Arnis Ozolins (National Alliance), the council's deputy chairman in charge of education, culture and sport, was the first to assume the duties of Jelgava Regional Council's acting chairman. 

As reported, Caune said in December that he planned to step down after municipal budget was passed because of what he called "political pressure''. He said that a redistribution of power was taking place on the regional council and that he was ''under political pressure''.