Latvia is a Baltic country located in Northern Europe and is bordered with Estonia, Russia, Belarus, and Lithuania. The country also has a coast along the Baltic Sea where it sits across from Sweden. Latvia’s capital city Riga sits on the Gulf of Riga on the Baltic Sea.
Latvia has a long history of being ruled by larger neighboring powers. Human habitation of the area spans all the way back to 3,000 BC with proto-Baltic ancestors of the Latvians settling on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. Trade routes were established by the Baltic peoples to places such as Rome and Byzantium. Four Baltic tribes inhabited the area from 900 AD, Curonians, Latgalians, Selonians, and Semigallians. The area of Latvia during the 12th Century was divided up into numerous lands with different rulers.
Missionaries sent by the Pope would arrive in the area in the late 12th Century to convert the peoples there, but found that the peoples were not as receptive as was initially hoped. Eventually German Crusaders invaded the area with the aim of forcibly converting the people from their Pagan beliefs. This led to the Germans ruling large parts of what is today Latvia by the 13th Century, setting up the Crusader State of Terra Mariana, also called Livonia, the ruling German aristocracy would remain prominent all the way up until the later 1800s which is where Latvia’s national reawakening begun. Riga and a number of other major cities would later join the Hanseatic League, a commercial and defensive confederation. The growing importance of east-west trading in Riga led to close cultural links with Western Europe. German settlers who spoke Low German/Saxon would also affect changes to the Latvian language.
The later Livonian War would lead to Livonia, which included Northern Latvia and Southern Estonia, coming under Lithuanian rule. The area would be ceded to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania leading it to be formed into the Duchy of Livonia, and the area would then later come under control of the Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth. The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia would be created by Gotthard Kettler who was the last Master of the Livonian Order, this Duchy although a vassal to Lithuania, and later Polish-Lithuania Commonwealth, still enjoyed a degree of autonomy.
The 17th and early 18th Century would see struggle for power develop between the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Swedish Empire, and the Russian Empire. The resultant Polish-Swedish War led to the area coming under the Swedish Empires rule, where their rule was seen as generally positive. During this time schools for the peasantry were established, the West of Lativa adopted Lutheranism, and the ancient tribes assimilated to form the Latvian People who spoke the Latvian language.
The Great Northern War from 1700 saw the Russian Empire contest the power of the Swedish Empire and led to the capitulation of Estonia and Livonia with them being incorporated into the Russian Empire. The Great Northern War had been a bad time for the Latvian People and had led to as much as 40% of the people dying from famine and plague. Although there was some prosperity under the Russian Empire, there was also much injustice to the Latvian peoples. The Latvians would eventually go through their first national reawakening lasting from the 1850s to the 1880s.
This movement was led by the Young Latvians, and led to the Latvian people embracing their nationalist identity in opposition of the German aristocracy social order of the time. This would be followed by a second national reawakening from the 1890s and included the New Current movement which was a broad leftist social and political movement. The First Russian Revolution took place in 1905 but the rebels would be defeated by the Russian Empire, but nationalist ideals remained.
World War I would bring devastation to Latvia, with the German Empire having occupied the area. Following the end of the 1st World War Latvia would declare its independence, leading to the Latvian War of Independence from December 1918 which involved both civil and border wars along with backing and involvement of neighboring powers such as the Soviets and Baltic German forces. The concurrent Estonian War of Independence was also a major factor in the Latvian War of Independence, with Estonian forces having played a role.
The war would lead to independence from the German Empire and the defeat of Soviet intervention, initially a liberal constitution was adopted, but Karlis Ulmanis established himself as dictator and suspended the constitution through performing a self-coup in 1934. Latvia’s independence would be interrupted during World War II as the Soviets invaded and annexed Latvia, followed by Nazi Germany occupying Latvia in 1941, and then the Soviets retaking Latvia in 1944. The Latvian SSR would be formed within the Soviet Union and exist for the next four and a half decades.
The peaceful Singing Revolution would take place in 1987, this period was also seen as the Third National reawakening and would see the Baltic Way form, a human chain of millions that spanned across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in opposition of Soviet rule. Latvia would gain its independence back in August 1991 as the dissolution of the Soviet Union neared, which also saw its liberal constitution reinstated.
The largest ethnic group in Latvia are Latvians but there is also a significant grouping of Russians. Christianity is the largest religion, with Lutheranism as the largest grouping followed by Catholicism and then Orthodoxy. Latvian is the official language. Latvia uses the Euro as its currency via being a member of the Eurozone. The country is also a member of the European Union and NATO. Latvia’s population has experienced a large decline since the 1990s, although there are signs of recovery, as of now Latvia has a population of over 1,867,370.
Government Type
Latvia is a Parliamentary Democratic Republic where there is a President who is Head of State although the position is largely ceremonial, and a Prime Minister who is Head of Government. The legislative government is made up of a unicameral chamber called the Saeima. Multiple parties are allowed.
The Executive Government
The President is the country’s Head of State although the position is largely ceremonial with the Prime Minister, Government, and Parliament holding the bulk of power. The President though does have some duties to perform.
Presidential Duties
The President represents Latvia in international relations, appoints the country’s diplomatic representatives, and receives diplomatic representatives of other states. The President implementes international agreements after they have been ratified by the Saeima.
The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the country’s armed forces, and during war time the President appoints a Supreme Commander to lead the forces. The President declares war dependent on decision of the Saeima.
The President has the right to take necessary steps for military defence of the State if another state declares war on Latvia or invades Latvia. At the same time without delay the President must also convene the Saeima to on declaration and commencement of war.
The President has the right to grant clemency to convicted criminals. Extent, procedures, and utilisation are decided by law.
The President can convene and preside over extraordinary meetings of the Government Cabinet and determine the agenda of these meetings.
The President is able to initiate and introduce legislation to the Saeima.
The President can propose dissolution of the Saeima which will trigger a national referendum on the issue, if more than half of the votes are cast in favour then the dissolution will take place and fresh elections will be held. If more than half of votes are cast against it, then it shall be seen as dissaproval of the President and he/she will be removed from office, and a new President will be elected.
If the dissolution does take place, the mandate of the Saeima continues until a newly elected one convenes within two months. But during this time the Saeima may only hold sittings with requested by the President who will determine their agenda.
The President only takes responsibility for their actions on question of dissolving the Saeima and choice of Head of Government. All other actions come under the responsibility of either the Prime Minister or an individual Minister as the Orders of the President are jointly signed by either.
Presidential Removal, Death, Resignation, Absence
You already saw above that the President will be removed if their attempt to dissolve the Saeima fails with more than half of voters going against it.
But the President can also be removed outside of this by the proposal of at least half of all the members of the Saeima, which to be confirmed requires a two-thirds majority in favour to remove the President.
If the President dies or resigns before their term is up or if they are removed, then the Chairperson of the Saeima assumes the duties of the President until a new President is elected. The Chairperson also assumes the functions when the President is temporarily absent, until their return.
The Saeima can also remove the President’s criminal immunity by a vote of two-thirds.
Prime Minister and Governing Cabinet
The Prime Minister is the Head of Government. The Cabinet is the highest executive decision-making body of the Government and is composed of the Prime Minister, and Ministers chosen by the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President to form the Cabinet following the outcome of a Parliamentary Election and who in their eyes commends the majority-confidence of the members of the Saeima. The Cabinet is chaired by the Prime Minister or by a Minister authorised by the Prime Minister to do so.
The Prime Minister and Governing Cabinet must maintain confidence of the Saeima to remain in power, the Saeima can perform confidence votes to remove individual Ministers, who shall then be replaced by the Prime Minister.
Ministers are in-charge of and responsible for Ministries that cover different areas of Government. The Cabinet deliberates on draft laws prepared by individual Ministries and also on matters that pertain to the activities of more than one ministry, as well as issues of State Policy raised by individual members of the Cabinet.
The Cabinet has the power to proclaim a State of Emergency if the State is threatened by an external enemy, an internal insurrection that that endangers the existing political system or that threatens to arise in the State or any part of the State. Upon doing this the Presdium of the Saeima must be informed within 24-hours and then the Presidium will present the decision to the Saeima.
Ministers, whether they are members of the Saeima or not, or even responsible Government officials authorised by a Minister, have the right to attend sittings of the Saeima and its committees and to submit additions and amendments to draft laws.
The Legislative Government
The legislative government is made up of the unicameral chamber called the Saeima which has 100 members. The main purpose as with any parliament is to have legislation introduced, debated, possibly amended, and either passed or rejected. The purpose of the Saeima is also to give oversight of the Prime Minister and their government. At least half of all the members is needed to be present for the Saeima’s sitting to take place. Decisions are taken via absolute majority unless a different majority is required by the constitution.
Legislation can be introduced by the President, Governing Cabinet, Committees of the Saeima, or at least five members of the Saeima. In cases provided for by the Constitution, at least one-tenth of the electorate can also come together to have a legislative bill introduced.
One-tenth of the electorate can submit a fully elaborated draft of an amendment to the Constitution or of a law to the President, who presents it to the Saeima. If it is not adopted by the Saeima it is instead submitted to a national referendum.
Legislation passed by the Saeima goes to the President to be proclaimed as passed, the President can return it for a second reconsideration, but if passed again unchanged then the President must proclaim it passed.
The President can suspend the proclamation of a law by up to two months on his/her own initiative or if requested by at least one-third of the members of the Saeima. During this time at least one-tenth of the electorate may request a referendum on the bill to either accept or repeal it, but if no request is received within two months the law must be proclaimed. A referendum will not take place if at least three-quarters of the members of the Saeima vote again to adopt the law.
A two-third majority of the Saeima may declare a bill as urgent, meaning the President cannot return it to reconsideration and it cannot be submitted to a referendum and must be proclaimed within 3-days.
The State Budget and International Agreements cannot be subject to referendum unless otherwise excepted by the Constitution.
The Saeima also elects the country’s President and decides on ratification of international agreements and on declaration of war. The Saeima has decision of granting of amnesty. The Saeima also decides and determines the State’s budget of revenues and expenditures which is submitted by the Governing Cabinet. The Saeima confirms the Supreme Court judges who are appointed by the Chief Justice.
The Saeima also nominate three of the Constitutional Court Judges, with another two nominated by Cabinet ministers, and another two by a plenum of the Supreme Court, after nominations all of them are confirmed by absolute majority vote of the Saeima. All judges serve 10-year terms and mandatory retirement at age 70.
Auditors General of the State Audit Office are appointed and confirmed in the same way.
The Saeima decides on removal of judges from their offices only upon recommendation of the Judicial Disciplinary Board.
On International Agreements, Latvia may decide to delegate a part of its State institution competencies to international institutions for the purposes of strengthening democracy. These sorts of agreements require two-thirds majority ratification by the Saeima with at least two-thirds of its membership present.
Substantial changes in regards to membership of the European Union is decided by a national referendum that can only be requested by at least one-half of the members of the Saeima.
The Saeima also determines the size of the country’s armed forces during peacetime.
Members of the Saeima elect a Presidium, this includes the Chairperson, two Deputies, and Secretaries. The Presidium is the impartial administrative body of the Saeima, with the Chairperson as the top impartial member, who represents the Saeima in an impartial manner and maintains the Saeima rules. The Presidium convenes sessions and schedules regular and extraordinary sessions.
The Presidium also convenes sittings if requested by the President, Prime Minister, or at least one-third of the members of the Saeima.
The Saeima has the right to submit questions that must be answered to the Prime Minister or an individual Minister.
The Saeima establishes committees and determines the number of their members and the duties they perform. Committees have powers to request information and necessary explanations required for their functioning from individual Ministers or local government authorities. They also have the right to invite responsible representatives from relevant ministries or local government authorities to furnish explanations. One-third of the members of the Saeima can request mandatory appointing of an investigative committee for specified matters of importance.
The people cannot recall individual members of the Saeima but are able to initiate a referendum on the answer of recalling the entire Saeima for fresh elections if for example the people have become dissatisfied with their performance. Such a referendum requires at least one-tenth of electors to initiate it and requires a two-thirds majority of those who voted last time to vote in favour of recall for it to be successful. There are a few limitations, it cannot be initiated one year after convening of the Saeima or one year before its end, cannot be initiated during the last six-months of the President’s term, or earlier than six months after a previous referendum of the same question.
The Electoral System
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Parliamentary elections to elect the 100-members of the Saeima take place every 4-years where members are elected from multi-seat constituencies using an open-list proportional representation system where parties meeting the 5% quota of the votes are guaranteed a proportional share of the seats.
The outcome of the elections will determine what party or coalition controls the Government and who the Prime Minister will be. Due to the proportional representation system their will usually need to be a coalition of parties to form a working majority.
Candidates for election to the Parliament must be Latvian citizens who are over 21-years-old.
Presidential elections take place every 4-years but is not directly elected by the people, instead the President is elected by the country’s Parliament, the Saeima. They nominate the candidate/s and the winner must obtain the votes of an absolute majority of the members (at least 51 votes) to win.
Candidates must be a Latvian citizen, who is at least 40-years old, and does not hold dual citizenship. If the winner is a member of the Saeima, or any other office, then they must resign their seat/office in order to become President. The same person cannot hold the presidency for more than two consecutive terms.
To vote one must be a citizen of Latvia who is at least 18-years-old. Voting is not mandatory.
Sources
The source for this comes from Latvia’s 1922 constitution, reinstated in 1991, with amendments through to 2016 (constituteproject.org) – note that there was a further amendment in 2018/2019 that I could find little information on, it seems likely to be irrelevant to what is included on this post, but just in case cross-research is always suggested for people using this seriously, as well as due to possible mistakes and misinterpretations, and other possible things missed, and further amendments may make this post outdated eventually.
Amendments to the constitution must be proposed by at least two-thirds of Parliament or by at least one-tenth of the electorate through the President, passage of such requires two-thirds majority vote in Parliament on each of three readings. Amendment of articles that include national sovereignty, language, parliamentary electoral system, and constitutional amendment procedures, also requires passage in a national referendum by majority vote of at least one-half of the electorate.
Next up will be the government system of Lebanon.