Inauguration of the Constitutional Assembly of Latvia 1 May 1920

Constitution of Latvia (Latvian: Satversme) is the fundamental law of the Republic of Latvia. It was adopted by, as it states itself, the people of Latvia, in freely elected Constitutional Assembly on 15 February 1922 and was enforced on 7 November 1922. Image File history File links The_Constitutional_Assembly_of_Latvia. ... Image File history File links The_Constitutional_Assembly_of_Latvia. ... A constituent assembly is a body elected with the purpose of drafting, and in some cases, adopting a constitution. ... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... November 7 is the 311th day of the year (312th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 54 days remaining. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

Etymology

The term "Satversme" is synonymous to Constitution (Latvian: Konstitūcija) in Latvian. It was coined by Atis Kronvalds, one of the leaders of Latvian romantic nationalism movement of the 19th century. The movement was trying to promote Latvian culture after centuries of German influence and encouraged use of Latvian language. Kronvalds and like minded individuals have introduced several new terms, intended to be used instead of loanwords, into everyday use. Kronvalds derived term "Satversme" from verb Satvert (English: to hold) by using suffix -me- and feminine ending -e to illustrate how a constitution is holding together all other laws. This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Latvian (latvieÅ¡u valoda), sometimes referred to as Lettish, is the official state language of the Republic of Latvia. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... Suffix has meanings in linguistics, nomenclature and computer science. ... In linguistics, grammatical gender is a morphological category associated with the expression of gender through inflection or agreement. ... In grammar, inflection or inflexion is the modification or marking of a word (or more precisely lexeme) to reflect grammatical (that is, relational) information, such as gender, tense, number or person. ...

History

Constitution of Latvia was drafted by Constitutional Assembly (Latvian: Satversmes sapulce) consisting of 150 members elected in general elections. The initial bill was elaborated by Constitutional committee (Latvian: Satversmes komisija) and consisted of two parts - the first regulated institutions of the state, the second - rights and obligations of citizens. Constitutional committee presented its work on 20 September 1921, the first part of the bill was passed on 15 February 1922, while the second part was voted down on 5 April 1922. On 20 June 1922 a law was passed that fixed the new constitution to be enforced on 12 AM 7 November 1922. ^[1][2] On 15 May 1934 coup d'etat by Kārlis Ulmanis took place, afterwards cabinet of Ulmanis passed a declaration that gave functions of parliament to the Cabinet of Ministers until new constitution would be drafted, however it never happened.^[3] During World War II a soviet government was established and parliament called "People's Saeima of Latvia" was elected, legality of this parliament and its decisions is questioned - soviet propaganda considered that constitution of Latvia was nullified by coup d'etat of Ulmanis, so People's Saeima never formally annulled it, however Latvian lawyers and historians point that constitution was still in effect, since Ulmanis' declaration only assigned functions of Saeima to the cabinet and did not cancel any part of constitution and that the People's Saeima was elected in accordance to constitution of Russian SFSR, not in accordance to Constitution of Latvia, thus it had no legal rights to legislate and by declaring accession to the Soviet Union it broke first article of Constitution of Latvia.^[2][3] After declaring accession to USSR, People's Saeima haistily drafted Constitution of LSSR on basis of Constitution of the Soviet Union, it was adopted only a month after on 25 August 1940. On 18 April 1978 government of LSSR adopted a new constitution.^[4] On 4 May 1990 Supreme council of LSSR declared independence of Latvia and adopted 1, 2, 3 and 6 article of constitution of 1922, the rest of constitution was brought to standstill until it was reviewed to fit the modern situation.^[5] The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ... September 20 is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years). ... Year 1921 (MCMXXI) was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for full calendar). ... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... April 5 is the 95th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (96th in leap years). ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... June 20 is the 171st day of the year (172nd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 194 days remaining. ... 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (136th in leap years). ... 1934 (MCMXXXIV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... A coup détat, or simply a coup, is the sudden overthrow of a government, usually done by a small group that just replaces the top power figures. ... Kārlis Ulmanis (b. ... A declaration is a form of statement, which expresses (or declares) some idea; declarations attempt to argue that something is true. ... States currently utilizing parliamentary systems are denoted in red and orange—the former being constitutional monarchies where authority is vested in a parliament, and the latter being parliamentary republics whose parliaments are effectively supreme over a separate head of state. ... A Cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. ... Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Nazi Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Harry Truman Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead... State motto: Visu zemju proletārieÅ¡i, savienojieties! Official language Latvian, Russian (de facto). ... State motto: Russian: Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! Translation: Workers of the world, unite! Capital Moscow Official language Russian Established In the USSR:  - Since  - Until November 7, 1917 November 7, 1917 December 12, 1991 (dissolution) Area  - Total  - Water (%) Ranked 1st in the USSR 17,075,200 km² 13% Population  - Total   - Density Ranked 1st in the... The 1936 Soviet constitution, adopted on December 5, 1936, and also known as the Stalin constitution, redesigned the government of the Soviet Union. ... August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (238th in leap years), with 128 days remaining. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... April 18 is the 108th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (109th in leap years). ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... May 4 is the 124th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (125th in leap years). ... This article is about the year. ... The Supreme Soviet (Russian: , Verhovniy Sovet, literally the Supreme Council) comprised the highest legislative body in the Soviet Union in the interim of the sessions of the Congress of Soviets, and the only one with the power to pass constitutional amendments. ...

Overview

Constitution of Latvia is codified constitution and currently consists of 116 articles arranged in eight chapters: ^[6]

• Chapter 1: General Provisions (articles 1-4)
• Chapter 2: Saeima (articles 5-34)
• Chapter 3: The President (articles 35-54)
• Chapter 4: The Cabinet (articles 55-63)
• Chapter 5: Legislation (articles 64-81)
• Chapter 6: Courts (articles 82-86)
• Chapter 7: The State Audit Office (articles 87-88)
• Chapter 8: Fundamental human rights (articles 89-116)

Articles 1, 2, 3 and 6 that establishes legal basis of Political system of the state and were first to be adopted after renewal of independence, these articles along with article 77 are often quoted as the most important articles in all constitution:

" 1. Latvia is an independent democratic republic.
2. The sovereign power of the State of Latvia is vested in the people of Latvia.
3. The territory of the State of Latvia, within the borders established by international agreements, consists of Vidzeme, Latgale, Kurzeme and Zemgale.
6. The Saeima shall be elected in general, equal and direct elections, and by secret ballot based on proportional representation.
77. If the Saeima has amended the first, second, third, fourth, sixth or seventy-seventh^[7] Article of the Constitution, such amendments, in order to come into force as law, shall be submitted to a national referendum."

Amendments

Provisions for amendments are stated in articles 76-79 of the constitution. Amendments to most articles can be made by Saeima. Exceptions are articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 77 - article 77. requires referendum to amend these articles. ^[6] During the interwar period amendments were rare - only one amendment was made and one major amendment was almost passed, but was never adopted due to coup d'etat of Ulmanis. Since renewal of independence, however, another eight amendments have been made. In 1994 voting age was decreased from 21 to 18. In 1996 Constitutional Court was established. In 1997 major changes in articles regulating process of elections and functions of Saeima, President and Cabinet were made. In 1998, aside from adding chapter eight (fundamental human rights) to constitution, official status was granted to Latvian language, requirement for referendum to change articles 4. and 77. was made and article 82. was fully changed^[8] and now defines types of courts in Latvia. In 2002 requirement for members of Saeima to give a solemn promise to acquire their mandate. Official status of Latvian language was further secured by making it the working language of state and municipal structures. In 2003 several amendments were made in order to join European Union. In 2004 amendments to certain rights of president and citizens were made. In 2006 amendment that defined that marriage is union between a man and a woman. 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... The voting age is the minimum legal age at which a person may vote in a governmental election. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year of the Ocean. ... Latvian (latviešu valoda), sometimes referred to as Lettish, is the official state language of the Republic of Latvia. ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

References and notes

• ^[1] (Latvian)The Constitutional Assembly: The first elected parliament of Latvia(Retrieved on 24 december 2006)
• ^[2] (Latvian)Freibergs J. (1998, 2001) Jaunāko laiku vēsture 20. gadsimts Zvaigzne ABC ISBN 9984-17-049-7
• ^[4] (Latvian) Editorial board of chief editorial office of encyclopedias (1987) Politiskā enciklopēdija Chief editorial office of encyclopedias
• ^[3] (Latvian)Resolution of Five senators of Senate of Latvia on validity of Constitution of Latvia and authority of Saeima in conditions of occupation(Retrieved on 24 december 2006)
• ^[5] (Latvian)Declaration of independence of 4 May 1990(Retrieved on 24 december 2006)
• ^[6] (Latvian)Constitution of the Republic of Latvia with amendments and revisions (Official english translation) (Retrieved on 24 December 2006)
• ^[7] Originally articles 4. and 77. was not included, amendment to this article was made on 15 October 1998
• ^[8] Original article 82 stated that all citizens of Latvia are equal before the law and the courts. Now article 91 has similar statement, but, unlike original article 82, article 91 refers to all human beings in Latvia and states that human rights should be enforced with no discrimination

External links

• Latvian Law guide

Homepages of constitutional government bodies of Latvia

• Constitutional Court
• Chancery of the President
• The Cabinet of Ministers
• State Audit Office
• Saeima (the Latvian Parliament)