Latvian Naturalization Constitution Test cheat sheet

Article 1: Latvia is an independent, democratic republic where sovereign power belongs to the people of Latvia.

Article 2: sovereignty is vested in the people and exercised through elected representatives; the Saeima is the representative body.

Article 3: the territory of the state consists of Vidzeme, Latgale, Kurzeme and Zemgale, within borders fixed by international agreements.

Article 4: the Latvian language is the state language; the flag is red-white-red and the coat of arms is defined by law.

Article 5: the Saeima consists of 100 members elected by general, equal, direct and secret proportional elections for four years.

Article 6: the Saeima is elected in five constituencies; the number of seats per constituency is fixed by law according to voter counts.

Article 7: the Satversme is the supreme law; all other legal acts must conform to it.

Article 8: the right of the people to initiate a national referendum on dissolving the Saeima and on amendments to the Satversme is guaranteed.

Sovereignty and independence are unamendable: no constitutional amendment may remove the democratic, independent character of the state.

Article 89: the state recognises and protects fundamental human rights under the Satversme, laws and binding international treaties; rights may be restricted only by law.

Article 91: all persons are equal before the law and the courts; human rights are exercised without discrimination of any kind.

Article 92: everyone has the right to a fair trial, to defence counsel, and to compensation for unlawful deprivation of liberty.

Article 96: inviolability of private life, home and correspondence; restrictions require a court decision.

Article 99: freedom of thought, conscience and religion; the right to change religion and to worship individually or collectively.

Article 100: freedom of expression, including the right to receive and impart information; censorship is prohibited.

Article 102: freedom of association; restrictions may be imposed for national security, public order, or protection of others' rights.

Article 103: the state protects the right to work, fair remuneration and safe working conditions; forced labour is prohibited except in cases defined by law.

Article 110: marriage is a union between a man and a woman; the state protects the family, mothers, fathers and children.

Saeima has 100 members elected for four years by proportional representation in five multi-member constituencies; the election threshold is 5% of votes cast nationwide.

Any citizen of Latvia who has reached 18 years of age on election day may stand for election, unless disqualified by law.

The Saeima elects the President of the State for four years by secret ballot; a candidate needs at least 51 votes.

The President may be re-elected once; the office is incompatible with membership in the Saeima or other public office.

The President represents the state, accredits ambassadors, signs laws, and has a suspensive veto: may return a law to the Saeima for reconsideration.

The President may call an extraordinary Saeima session, propose dissolving the Saeima, and is immune from prosecution while in office.

The Saeima may remove the President by a two-thirds majority (at least 67 votes) in a closed session; the Constitutional Court may also remove the President for a serious offence.

The Saeima elects the President, the Auditor General, the Ombudsman, and judges of the Constitutional Court; it also approves the Cabinet of Ministers.

The Cabinet of Ministers consists of the Prime Minister and ministers; the Prime Minister is nominated by the President and approved by the Saeima.

The Cabinet is responsible to the Saeima; the Saeima may express no confidence in the Prime Minister or in an individual minister.

The Cabinet is formed after elections: the President nominates a candidate, who presents a government programme and composition to the Saeima for approval.

Ministers head ministries; the Prime Minister directs the Cabinet's work and represents the Cabinet in the Saeima.

State administration operates under the Cabinet, ministries, and subordinate institutions; administrative acts may be challenged in court.

The Cabinet may issue regulations (noteikumi) and orders within the framework of laws; regulations must be signed by the Prime Minister and the responsible minister.

The Cabinet may declare a state of emergency in cases defined by law, subject to subsequent approval by the Saeima.

The Cabinet's powers end when the Saeima expresses no confidence, when the Prime Minister resigns, or when a new Saeima convenes.

Justice in Latvia is administered only by courts; judges are independent and subject only to the law.

The court system comprises district (city) courts, regional courts, the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional Court.

The Constitutional Court (Satversmes tiesa) reviews the conformity of laws and other acts with the Satversme and with international obligations.

The Constitutional Court consists of seven judges appointed for ten years; three are appointed by the Saeima, two by the Cabinet, and two by the Supreme Court plenum.

Any person whose fundamental rights are violated may submit a constitutional complaint; the Ombudsman and courts may also refer cases.

The Prosecutor's Office supervises the observance of law, conducts pre-trial investigations, and supports the state prosecution in court.

The Prosecutor General is appointed by the Saeima on the proposal of the Cabinet for five years; the Prosecutor's Office is independent in its functions.

Judges are appointed for life until the statutory retirement age; removal requires a court decision or disciplinary proceedings.

The State Audit Office (Valsts kontrole) controls the financial management of state and local government resources; the Auditor General is elected by the Saeima for four years.

The State Audit Office is independent; its reports are submitted to the Saeima and are public.

The Ombudsman (Tiesībsargs) protects the rights and freedoms of individuals and supervises compliance with the principle of equal treatment.

The Ombudsman is elected by the Saeima for five years and may not hold other public office; the Ombudsman is independent and reports annually to the Saeima.

The Central Election Commission is an independent body that organises Saeima, European Parliament, and local elections and referendums.

The Bank of Latvia and the Financial and Capital Market Commission exercise independent oversight of monetary and financial stability.

The National Electronic Mass Media Council supervises broadcasting and electronic media compliance with law.

The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) investigates corruption and controls political party financing.

The right of legislative initiative belongs to the President, the Cabinet, Saeima committees, groups of at least five Saeima members, and one-tenth of the electorate.

Laws are adopted by the Saeima by a majority of votes of members present, unless the Satversme requires a higher threshold.

The President may return a law to the Saeima within ten days; the Saeima may override the veto by a majority of at least 51 votes.

A national referendum may be held on a law returned by the President if the Saeima does not adopt it or if one-third of the Saeima requests it.

A referendum on dissolving the Saeima is held if the President proposes dissolution; the Saeima may reject dissolution by a two-thirds majority.

Amendments to the Satversme require a two-thirds majority (at least 67 votes) in three readings, with intervals between readings.

Certain provisions (Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 77) may be amended only by a national referendum.

One-tenth of the electorate may submit a fully drafted constitutional amendment, which the Saeima must consider; if rejected, a referendum follows.

Latvia is a unitary state; its territory is divided into municipalities (novadi) and state cities (valstspilsētas) governed by local councils.

Local councils are elected for four years by Latvian citizens and EU citizens resident in the municipality, by proportional representation.

Local governments have the right to initiate legislation and to submit proposals to the Saeima and the Cabinet.

Municipalities may be merged or divided only after consulting residents; changes to territorial boundaries require a law.

The state flag is red-white-red with a specific proportion of the stripes; the state coat of arms combines a shield with a lion and a griffin.

The state anthem is 'Dievs, svētī Latviju!' by Kārlis Baumanis; the state language is Latvian.

The President, the Saeima, and the Cabinet share responsibility for protecting state symbols and their lawful use.

Local government autonomy is guaranteed by the European Charter of Local Self-Government, which Latvia has ratified.