Latvian Naturalization Constitution Test key terms

The formal name of Latvia's constitution, adopted in 1922 and in force today. It sets out the state's foundations, fundamental rights, the Saeima, the President, the Cabinet, the courts and the amendment procedure, and it sits at the top of the legal hierarchy.

The principle that state power in Latvia belongs to the people of Latvia and is exercised independently of any other state. It grounds the claim that only a body representing the voters may change the constitutional order.

The rule that the Latvian state's authority derives from its citizens, who exercise it through elections, referendums and the bodies they choose. It explains why constitutional changes require voters' approval in certain cases.

The description of Latvia's form of state: a republic, not a monarchy, whose government rests on free, fair and regular elections and on the rule of law. It is one of the unamendable foundations of the state.

Constitutional rules that may never be changed by any procedure, including the state's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, democratic republican form and the Latvian language as the state language. Any amendment touching them is invalid.

Latvian, the official language of the state, used in the work of state and municipal bodies. Its status is protected as an unamendable element of the constitutional order; the constitution also safeguards the use of Livonian and minority languages.

The constitutional principle that Latvia's territory is indivisible and cannot be ceded, split or otherwise altered except through the procedures the constitution prescribes. It is one of the foundations that no amendment may remove.

The rights guaranteed to every person in the constitutional chapter on human rights, such as life, liberty, privacy, property, freedom of expression and a fair trial. State bodies must respect them and may restrict them only under constitutional conditions.

A limitation placed on a guaranteed right by law. It is valid only if it pursues a legitimate aim, is necessary in a democratic society and is proportionate; the burden of justifying it lies with the state.

The test asking whether a rights restriction uses the least intrusive means available and whether the benefit to society outweighs the harm to the individual. Courts apply it when reviewing laws and official decisions.

The constitutional value recognising every person's inherent worth, which the state must protect. It underpins the interpretation of all other fundamental rights and cannot be removed by ordinary legislation.

The guarantee that all persons are equal before the law and that no one may be treated worse because of sex, age, disability, race, religion, language, origin or other grounds. Unequal treatment needs an objective and reasonable justification.

Latvia's unicameral parliament, composed of 100 members elected for four years by proportional representation in five constituencies. It legislates, adopts the budget, oversees the Cabinet and elects the President, the Ombudsman and other officials.

A member of parliament elected from a candidate list, holding a free mandate and accountable to the voters rather than to instructions from a party. Deputies enjoy immunity from prosecution unless the Saeima consents to arrest or search.

The protection of Saeima members from detention, criminal prosecution or search without the parliament's consent. It may be lifted by a Saeima vote, and it does not cover being caught committing a criminal offence.

The electoral system in which seats are distributed according to the share of votes each candidate list receives, so that a party's seats broadly match its support. Latvia uses it with a 5 percent national threshold.

The minimum share of the national vote, 5 percent, that a candidate list must win to receive any Saeima seats. Lists below it are excluded from the allocation of mandates.

Latvia's head of state, elected by the Saeima for four years and serving at most two consecutive terms. The office is largely ceremonial but includes legislative vetoes, appointments and the power to propose dissolving the Saeima.

The procedure by which the President may call early parliamentary elections. If the voters do not endorse the dissolution, the President must resign; if they do, the Saeima is dissolved and new elections follow.

The government of Latvia, formed by the Prime Minister and ministers who together direct the state administration. It must enjoy the Saeima's confidence, answers to parliament and can be dismissed by a vote of no confidence.

The head of the Cabinet, nominated by the President and approved by the Saeima together with the rest of the government. The office holder leads the executive, represents it and is responsible for its programme.

A Saeima decision that removes the Cabinet or an individual minister. A constructive motion names a replacement Prime Minister, so a majority that topples the government must also agree on its successor.

The network of ministries, agencies and inspectorates that carry out public tasks under the Cabinet's direction. It acts only on a legal basis and is subject to judicial review and to oversight by the Ombudsman and the State Audit Office.

The independent bodies that decide civil, criminal and administrative disputes. Judges are bound only by law, are appointed for life until retirement and may not belong to political parties.

The guarantee that judges decide cases solely according to law, free from instructions by the government, parliament or private persons. It is secured by life tenure, appointment rules and the courts' own self-governing bodies.

Latvia's specialised court that reviews whether laws, Cabinet regulations and other acts comply with the Satversme. It hears cases on referral by state bodies, courts and, under conditions, private persons, and its judgments are binding.

An individual application asking the Constitutional Court to review a legal provision that allegedly violated the applicant's fundamental rights. It requires exhaustion of other remedies and must usually be filed within six months.

The body that conducts criminal prosecutions, supervises the legality of investigations and represents the state in certain proceedings. It is independent of the executive in its case decisions and is headed by the Prosecutor General.

An independent collegiate body that audits the financial management of state and municipal institutions and reports to the Saeima. Its findings support parliamentary scrutiny of the budget and public spending.

An independent official elected by the Saeima who investigates complaints that public bodies have violated a person's rights or acted improperly. The office may issue recommendations and refer matters to other institutions.

The independent body that organises Saeima, European Parliament, municipal and referendum votes, keeps the voter register and certifies results. Its decisions can be challenged before the courts.

The sequence by which a bill becomes law: the President, the Cabinet, parliamentary committees or deputies introduce it, the Saeima debates and adopts it in readings, and the President promulgates it or returns it for reconsideration.

The President's power to send an adopted law back to the Saeima with reasons for reconsideration. The Saeima can override the return by adopting the law again, in which case the President must promulgate it.

A nationwide vote in which citizens decide a question directly. The constitution provides for referendums on constitutional amendments, on dissolving the Saeima and, under conditions, on returning a law to parliament.

The right of voters to propose a constitutional amendment or a law by collecting a set number of signatures. If the Saeima does not adopt the proposal unchanged, it goes to a referendum; certain matters are excluded.

A change to the text of the Satversme, requiring adoption by the Saeima in several readings and, for specified articles, approval by referendum. Amendments cannot touch the unamendable foundations of the state.

The division of Latvia into municipalities and cities, each with its own council and competences. Changes to boundaries require a law, and the constitution guarantees municipalities' right to self-government.

Municipal councils elected by residents that manage local affairs such as schools, social services and infrastructure within the limits of law. They are autonomous but supervised by the state and may be dissolved in defined cases.

Latvia's flag, coat of arms and national anthem, protected by the constitution and by specific legislation. Their design and use are fixed by law, and disrespecting them can carry legal consequences.