Latvian Naturalization Constitution Test flashcards

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Article 1 of Satversme

Declares Latvia an independent, democratic republic in which sovereign power belongs to the people of Latvia. It anchors the state's democratic character and cannot be amended by ordinary constitutional procedure.

Sovereignty of the people

Under Article 2, sovereign power in Latvia is vested in the people and exercised through elected representatives. The Saeima is the central representative body, though referendums also express popular will.

State language provision

Article 4 establishes Latvian as the state language and defines the flag as red-white-red. The coat of arms is regulated by law, and the anthem is set by separate legislation.

Unamendable constitutional core

Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 77 may be amended only through a national referendum, protecting the democratic, independent and unitary character of the Latvian state from ordinary parliamentary majorities.

Equality before the law

Article 91 guarantees that all persons in Latvia are equal before the law and the courts. Fundamental rights are exercised without discrimination on grounds such as race, sex, religion or language.

Right to a fair trial

Article 92 guarantees a fair, public hearing by an independent court, the right to defence counsel, and compensation for unlawful deprivation of liberty. Hearings may be closed only in cases defined by law.

Inviolability of private life

Article 96 protects private life, home and correspondence from state intrusion. Restrictions require a court decision, and the law must define the scope and procedure for any interference.

Freedom of expression

Article 100 guarantees the right to freely receive and impart information and ideas. Censorship is prohibited; restrictions must be prescribed by law and necessary in a democratic society.

Right to work protection

Article 103 obliges the state to protect the right to work, fair remuneration and safe conditions. Forced labour is prohibited except in narrowly defined cases such as military service or court-ordered work.

Saeima composition

The Saeima consists of 100 members elected for four years in general, equal, direct and secret elections. Members represent the whole nation and are not bound by instructions from voters.

Five percent threshold

A political party or alliance must receive at least five percent of the total votes cast nationwide to enter the Saeima. Votes for parties below the threshold do not receive seats.

Election of the President

The Saeima elects the President of Latvia for four years by secret ballot, requiring at least 51 votes. A candidate must be a Latvian citizen aged 40 or over; re-election is permitted only once consecutively.

Presidential suspensive veto

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

Removal of the President

The Saeima may remove the President by a two-thirds majority in a closed session. The Constitutional Court may also remove the President for a serious criminal offence committed while in office.

Formation of the Cabinet

After elections, the President nominates a Prime Minister, who presents a government programme and composition to the Saeima. The Saeima approves the Cabinet by a majority vote.

Cabinet responsibility to Saeima

The Cabinet of Ministers is responsible to the Saeima, which may express no confidence in the Prime Minister or an individual minister. A successful no-confidence vote obliges the Cabinet to resign.

Cabinet regulations

The Cabinet issues regulations within the framework of laws. Regulations must be signed by the Prime Minister and the responsible minister and are published in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis.

State administration

State administration is exercised by ministries and their subordinate institutions under the Cabinet. Administrative acts may be appealed to a higher institution and subsequently challenged before an administrative court.

Independence of judges

Judges in Latvia are independent and subject only to the law. They are appointed for life until retirement age; removal requires a court decision or disciplinary proceedings.

Constitutional Court composition

The Satversmes tiesa has seven judges appointed for ten years: three by the Saeima, two by the Cabinet, and two by the plenum of the Supreme Court.

Constitutional complaint

A person whose fundamental rights have been violated may file a complaint with the Constitutional Court after exhausting other remedies. Courts and the Ombudsman may also refer cases.

Prosecutor's Office role

The Prosecutor's Office supervises observance of law, conducts pre-trial investigations and supports the prosecution in court. The Prosecutor General is appointed by the Saeima for five years.

State Audit Office

The Valsts kontrole audits the financial management of state and local government resources. It is independent, and its Auditor General is elected by the Saeima for four years.

Ombudsman mandate

The Tiesībsargs protects individuals' rights and freedoms and supervises equal treatment. Elected by the Saeima for five years, the Ombudsman is independent and reports annually to the Saeima.

Central Election Commission

An independent body that organises Saeima, European Parliament and local elections and referendums, maintains the voter register and announces official results.

KNAB functions

The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau investigates corruption offences and controls political party financing. It is an independent institution accountable to the Cabinet and the Saeima.

Legislative initiative

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

Constitutional amendment threshold

Amendments to the Satversme require at least 67 votes in three readings with intervals between them. Certain core articles may be amended only by national referendum.

Popular constitutional initiative

One-tenth of the electorate may submit a fully drafted constitutional amendment. The Saeima must consider it; if rejected, the amendment is put to a national referendum.

Dissolution referendum

If the President proposes dissolving the Saeima, a national referendum is held. The Saeima may instead reject dissolution by a two-thirds majority, after which the President must resign.

Local government elections

Local councils are elected for four years by Latvian citizens and resident EU citizens using proportional representation. Local governments may initiate legislation and submit proposals to the Saeima.

State symbols

Latvia's flag is red-white-red, the coat of arms combines a shield with a lion and a griffin, and the anthem is 'Dievs, svētī Latviju!'. Use of these symbols is regulated by law.