POPULAR INITIATIVE IN LATVIA
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Published:
May 30, 2024
Abstract
Article 78 of the Latvian Constitution provides for the popular initiative, i.e., the right of not less than one tenth of the electorate to submit a fully elaborated draft law for consideration of the parliament. If the parliament does not adopt it without change as to its content, a referendum is held. Such regulation was characteristic in Europe at 1922, when the Latvian Constitution was adopted, but it is distinctive today, as in other European states submission of a draft law signed by the voters to the parliament usually does not create an obligation of the parliament to adopt the law or to hold a referendum. Since 2012, at least 10 000 Latvian citizens have the right to hand in a collective submission to the Latvian parliament. The collective submission is a form of direct democracy in the broadest sense, however, it is different from the popular initiative. It is up-to-date and simpler mechanism than popular initiative and subsequent referendum provided for in Article 78 of the Latvian Constitution, and it gives a small number of Latvian citizens opportunity to put a significant for them topic in the agenda of the parliament.
How to Cite
Nikuļceva, I. (2024). POPULAR INITIATIVE IN LATVIA. Baltic Journal of Legal and Social Sciences, 2(2), 86-93. https://doi.org/10.30525/2592-8813-2024-2-2-13
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Keywords
direct democracy; popular initiative; referendum; collective submission; Latvian Constitution (Satversme); Latvian parliament (Saeima)
References
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2. Balodis R, Pleps J. (2023) First Century of the Satversme: Constitutional Development and Perspectives. – Journal of the University of Latvia. Law. No. 16.
3. The Supreme Soviet of LSSR declaration On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia of 4 May 1990. – Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs. No. 20. (17.05.1990)
4. Law On the Statehood of the Republic of Latvia. Accepted: 21.08.1991. Enters into force: 21.08.1991. – Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, No. 42. (24.10.1991)
5. Dišlers K. (1921) Dažas piezīmes pie Latvijas Republikas Satversmes projekta (Tiešā likumdošana un Valsts prezidents). [Some notes on the draft Constitution of the Republic of Latvia (Direct Legislation and the President of the State)]. – Tieslietu ministrijas vēstnesis. No. 4–6. [In Latvian]
6. Dišlers K. (1930) Ievads Latvijas valststiesību zinātnē. [Introduction to the science of Latvian state law]. Rīga: A. Gulbis [In Latvian]
7. Dišlers K. (1933) Konvencionālas normas valststiesību novadā. [Conventional norms in the field of Public Law]. – Tieslietu ministrijas vēstnesis. No. 11/12. [In Latvian]
8. Dišlers K. (1923) Kvorums tautas nobalsošanā. [Quorum in a referendum]. – Tieslietu ministrijas vēstnesis. No. 5/6. [In Latvian]
9. Dišlers K. (1929) Latvijas Republikas Satversmes grozīšanas kārtība. [Procedure for amending the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia]. – Tieslietu ministrijas vēstnesis. No. 7/8. [In Latvian]
10. Dišlers K. (2004) Latvijas valsts varas orgāni un viņu funkcijas. [Latvian state authorities and their functions]. Rīga: Tiesu namu aģentūra, [In Latvian]
11. Dišlers K. (1930) Referenduma pielietošana un kvoruma jautājums. [Application of referendum and the question of quorum]. – Jurists. No. 5. [In Latvian]
12. Dišlers K. (1930) Referendumu veidi Latvijas Republikas Satversmē. [Types of referendums in the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia]. – Jurists. No. 3. [In Latvian]
13. Dišlers K. (1929) Valsts prezidenta suspensīvais veto un pilsoņu kopuma absolūtais veto LR Satversmē. [The suspensive veto of the President of the Republic and the absolute veto of the citizens in the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia]. – Tieslietu ministrijas vēstnesis. No. ½. pp. 12.–14. [In Latvian]
14. Latvijas Republikas Satversmes komentāri. V nodaļa. Likumdošana. Autoru kolektīvs prof. R. Baloža zinātniskā vadībā. [Commentaries on the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia Chapter V. Legislation. Authors' collective under the scientific supervision of Prof. R. Balodis] (2019). Rīga: Latvijas Vēstnesis. [In Latvian]
15. Pastars E. (2004) Cik satversmīgs bija balsojums par iestāšanos Eiropas Savienībā. [How constitutional was the vote to join the European Union]. – Jurista Vārds. No. 9. (09.03.2004) [In Latvian]
16. Pleps J. (2007) Satversmes 72. pants. [Constitution Article 72]. – Jurista vārds. No. 12 (465). (20.03.2007) [In Latvian]
17. Pleps J. (2004) Satversmes 77. panta piemērošanas teorētiskie pamati. [Theoretical foundations of the application of Article 77 of the Constitution]. – Jurista vārds. No. 25, No. 26, No. 28. July 6, July 13, July 27. [In Latvian]
18. Pleps J., Pastars E. (2002) Vai tauta var Saeimā iesniegt budžeta projektu. [Can the people submit a budget bill to the Saeima]. – Jurista vārds. No. 18 (251). (10.09.2002) No. 19 (252). (24.09.2002) [In Latvian]
19. Pleps J., Pastars E. (2002) Vai tautai ir nozagta suverēnā vara. [Has the sovereign power been stolen from the people]. – Jurista Vārds. No. 21 (254) (22.10.2002) [In Latvian]
20. Nikuļceva I. (2012) Fakultatīvā tautas nobalsošana Latvijā un Eiropā. – Zavele A. (ed.) Juridiskās zinātnes aktuālās problēmas [Optional Referendum in Latvia and Europe. In the collection of articles "Current Problems of Legal Science"]. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC. [In Latvian]
21. Nikuļceva I. (2010) Obligātā tautas nobalsošana Latvijā. [Mandatory referendum in Latvia] – Juridiskā zinātne. No. 1. Rīga: Latvijas Universitātes žurnāls. [In Latvian]
22. Nikuļceva I. (2013) Tautas nobalsošana un vēlētāju likumdošanas iniciatīva. Promocijas darbs [Referendum and voter legislative initiative. Doctoral thesis]. Rīga [In Latvian]
23. Nikuļceva I. (2010) Tiešā demokrātija Eiropā. [Direct democracy in Europe]. Jurista vārds. No. 43. (26.10.2010) [In Latvian]
24. Nikuļceva I. (2009) Vēlētāju likumdošanas iniciatīva Latvijā. [Voter legislative initiative in Latvia] – Jurista Vārds. No. 49. (08.12.2009) [In Latvian]
25. Nikuļceva I. (2024) Cik mūsdienīgs un efektīvs ir Satversmes 72. pants. [How modern and effective is Article 72 of the Constitution]. – Jurista vārds. No.7. (13.02.2024) [In Latvian]
26. Suksi M. (1993) Bringing in the People. A Comparison of Constitutional Forums and Practices of the Referendum. Dordrecht Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.
27. Butler D., Ranney A. (eds). (1994) Referendums Around the World: The Growing Use of Direct Democracy. Basingstoke and London: Macmillan.
28. The Constitution of the German Empire of August 11, 1919 (Weimar Constitution). Retrieved from: https://ghdi.ghi-dc.org/docpage.cfm?docpage_id=4861
29. Šilde Ā. (1976) Latvijas vēsture. [Latvian History]. 1914–1940. Stokholma: Daugava. [In Latvian]
30. On National Referendums, Legislative Initiatives and European Citizens' Initiative. Law of the Republic of Latvia. Accepted: 31.03.1994. Enters into force: 04.05.1994. – Latvijas Vēstnesis. No. 47. (20.04.1994)
31. Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation of 18 April 1999. Retrieved from: http://www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/101/a142.html
32. Loi fédérale sur les droits politiques, Suisse, 17 décembre 1976. https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1978/688_688_688/fr [In France]
33. Direct Democracy in Europe: A Comprehensive Reference Guide to the Initiative and Referendum Process in Europe. Edited by Kaufmann B. and Waters D. Carolina Academic Press, Durham North Carolina, 2004.
34. Information of the Central Election Commission. On the proposal for amendments to the Energy Law (2000). Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.lv/lv/par-grozijumu-energetikas-likuma-ierosinasanu-2000 [In Latvian]
35. Information of the Central Election Commission. Referendums have taken place. Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.lv/lv/notikusas-tautas-nobalsosanas [In Latvian]
36. Information of the Central Election Commission. On proposing amendments to the Constitution (2008). Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.lv/lv/par-grozijumu-satversme-ierosinasanu-2008 [In Latvian]
37. Information of the Central Election Commission. On amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia (2012). Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.lv/lv/par-grozijumiem-latvijas-republikas-satversme-2012 [In Latvian]
38. Information of the Central Election Commission. Initiatives for which the collection of signatures has ended. Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.lv/lv/iniciativu-katalogs?tcat_vid_10[177]=177 [In Latvian]
39. Information of the Central Election Commission. Initiatives registered for signature collection. Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.lv/lv/iniciativu-katalogs?tcat_vid_10[176]=176 [In Latvian]
40. Rules of Order of Saeima. Law of the Republic of Latvia. Accepted: 28.04.1994. Enters into force: 01.01.2008. – Latvijas Vēstnesis. No. 96. (18.09.1994)
41. Law on Submissions. Law of the Republic of Latvia. Accepted: 27.09.2007. Enters into force: 01.09.1994. – Latvijas Vēstnesis. No.164. (11.10.2007)
42. Saeima information. Collective submissions. Retrieved from: https://mandati.saeima.lv/kolekt%C4%ABvie-iesniegumi (22.04.2024.). [In Latvian]
43. Pallinger Z. T. et al. (eds). (2007) Direct Democracy in Europe: Developments and Prospects, Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften.
44. Kobach K. W. (1993) The Referendum: Direct Democracy in Switzerland. Aldershot: Dartmouth Publishing Company Ltd.
2. Balodis R, Pleps J. (2023) First Century of the Satversme: Constitutional Development and Perspectives. – Journal of the University of Latvia. Law. No. 16.
3. The Supreme Soviet of LSSR declaration On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia of 4 May 1990. – Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs. No. 20. (17.05.1990)
4. Law On the Statehood of the Republic of Latvia. Accepted: 21.08.1991. Enters into force: 21.08.1991. – Latvijas Republikas Augstākās Padomes un Valdības Ziņotājs, No. 42. (24.10.1991)
5. Dišlers K. (1921) Dažas piezīmes pie Latvijas Republikas Satversmes projekta (Tiešā likumdošana un Valsts prezidents). [Some notes on the draft Constitution of the Republic of Latvia (Direct Legislation and the President of the State)]. – Tieslietu ministrijas vēstnesis. No. 4–6. [In Latvian]
6. Dišlers K. (1930) Ievads Latvijas valststiesību zinātnē. [Introduction to the science of Latvian state law]. Rīga: A. Gulbis [In Latvian]
7. Dišlers K. (1933) Konvencionālas normas valststiesību novadā. [Conventional norms in the field of Public Law]. – Tieslietu ministrijas vēstnesis. No. 11/12. [In Latvian]
8. Dišlers K. (1923) Kvorums tautas nobalsošanā. [Quorum in a referendum]. – Tieslietu ministrijas vēstnesis. No. 5/6. [In Latvian]
9. Dišlers K. (1929) Latvijas Republikas Satversmes grozīšanas kārtība. [Procedure for amending the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia]. – Tieslietu ministrijas vēstnesis. No. 7/8. [In Latvian]
10. Dišlers K. (2004) Latvijas valsts varas orgāni un viņu funkcijas. [Latvian state authorities and their functions]. Rīga: Tiesu namu aģentūra, [In Latvian]
11. Dišlers K. (1930) Referenduma pielietošana un kvoruma jautājums. [Application of referendum and the question of quorum]. – Jurists. No. 5. [In Latvian]
12. Dišlers K. (1930) Referendumu veidi Latvijas Republikas Satversmē. [Types of referendums in the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia]. – Jurists. No. 3. [In Latvian]
13. Dišlers K. (1929) Valsts prezidenta suspensīvais veto un pilsoņu kopuma absolūtais veto LR Satversmē. [The suspensive veto of the President of the Republic and the absolute veto of the citizens in the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia]. – Tieslietu ministrijas vēstnesis. No. ½. pp. 12.–14. [In Latvian]
14. Latvijas Republikas Satversmes komentāri. V nodaļa. Likumdošana. Autoru kolektīvs prof. R. Baloža zinātniskā vadībā. [Commentaries on the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia Chapter V. Legislation. Authors' collective under the scientific supervision of Prof. R. Balodis] (2019). Rīga: Latvijas Vēstnesis. [In Latvian]
15. Pastars E. (2004) Cik satversmīgs bija balsojums par iestāšanos Eiropas Savienībā. [How constitutional was the vote to join the European Union]. – Jurista Vārds. No. 9. (09.03.2004) [In Latvian]
16. Pleps J. (2007) Satversmes 72. pants. [Constitution Article 72]. – Jurista vārds. No. 12 (465). (20.03.2007) [In Latvian]
17. Pleps J. (2004) Satversmes 77. panta piemērošanas teorētiskie pamati. [Theoretical foundations of the application of Article 77 of the Constitution]. – Jurista vārds. No. 25, No. 26, No. 28. July 6, July 13, July 27. [In Latvian]
18. Pleps J., Pastars E. (2002) Vai tauta var Saeimā iesniegt budžeta projektu. [Can the people submit a budget bill to the Saeima]. – Jurista vārds. No. 18 (251). (10.09.2002) No. 19 (252). (24.09.2002) [In Latvian]
19. Pleps J., Pastars E. (2002) Vai tautai ir nozagta suverēnā vara. [Has the sovereign power been stolen from the people]. – Jurista Vārds. No. 21 (254) (22.10.2002) [In Latvian]
20. Nikuļceva I. (2012) Fakultatīvā tautas nobalsošana Latvijā un Eiropā. – Zavele A. (ed.) Juridiskās zinātnes aktuālās problēmas [Optional Referendum in Latvia and Europe. In the collection of articles "Current Problems of Legal Science"]. Rīga: Zvaigzne ABC. [In Latvian]
21. Nikuļceva I. (2010) Obligātā tautas nobalsošana Latvijā. [Mandatory referendum in Latvia] – Juridiskā zinātne. No. 1. Rīga: Latvijas Universitātes žurnāls. [In Latvian]
22. Nikuļceva I. (2013) Tautas nobalsošana un vēlētāju likumdošanas iniciatīva. Promocijas darbs [Referendum and voter legislative initiative. Doctoral thesis]. Rīga [In Latvian]
23. Nikuļceva I. (2010) Tiešā demokrātija Eiropā. [Direct democracy in Europe]. Jurista vārds. No. 43. (26.10.2010) [In Latvian]
24. Nikuļceva I. (2009) Vēlētāju likumdošanas iniciatīva Latvijā. [Voter legislative initiative in Latvia] – Jurista Vārds. No. 49. (08.12.2009) [In Latvian]
25. Nikuļceva I. (2024) Cik mūsdienīgs un efektīvs ir Satversmes 72. pants. [How modern and effective is Article 72 of the Constitution]. – Jurista vārds. No.7. (13.02.2024) [In Latvian]
26. Suksi M. (1993) Bringing in the People. A Comparison of Constitutional Forums and Practices of the Referendum. Dordrecht Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.
27. Butler D., Ranney A. (eds). (1994) Referendums Around the World: The Growing Use of Direct Democracy. Basingstoke and London: Macmillan.
28. The Constitution of the German Empire of August 11, 1919 (Weimar Constitution). Retrieved from: https://ghdi.ghi-dc.org/docpage.cfm?docpage_id=4861
29. Šilde Ā. (1976) Latvijas vēsture. [Latvian History]. 1914–1940. Stokholma: Daugava. [In Latvian]
30. On National Referendums, Legislative Initiatives and European Citizens' Initiative. Law of the Republic of Latvia. Accepted: 31.03.1994. Enters into force: 04.05.1994. – Latvijas Vēstnesis. No. 47. (20.04.1994)
31. Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation of 18 April 1999. Retrieved from: http://www.admin.ch/ch/e/rs/101/a142.html
32. Loi fédérale sur les droits politiques, Suisse, 17 décembre 1976. https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1978/688_688_688/fr [In France]
33. Direct Democracy in Europe: A Comprehensive Reference Guide to the Initiative and Referendum Process in Europe. Edited by Kaufmann B. and Waters D. Carolina Academic Press, Durham North Carolina, 2004.
34. Information of the Central Election Commission. On the proposal for amendments to the Energy Law (2000). Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.lv/lv/par-grozijumu-energetikas-likuma-ierosinasanu-2000 [In Latvian]
35. Information of the Central Election Commission. Referendums have taken place. Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.lv/lv/notikusas-tautas-nobalsosanas [In Latvian]
36. Information of the Central Election Commission. On proposing amendments to the Constitution (2008). Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.lv/lv/par-grozijumu-satversme-ierosinasanu-2008 [In Latvian]
37. Information of the Central Election Commission. On amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia (2012). Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.lv/lv/par-grozijumiem-latvijas-republikas-satversme-2012 [In Latvian]
38. Information of the Central Election Commission. Initiatives for which the collection of signatures has ended. Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.lv/lv/iniciativu-katalogs?tcat_vid_10[177]=177 [In Latvian]
39. Information of the Central Election Commission. Initiatives registered for signature collection. Retrieved from: https://www.cvk.lv/lv/iniciativu-katalogs?tcat_vid_10[176]=176 [In Latvian]
40. Rules of Order of Saeima. Law of the Republic of Latvia. Accepted: 28.04.1994. Enters into force: 01.01.2008. – Latvijas Vēstnesis. No. 96. (18.09.1994)
41. Law on Submissions. Law of the Republic of Latvia. Accepted: 27.09.2007. Enters into force: 01.09.1994. – Latvijas Vēstnesis. No.164. (11.10.2007)
42. Saeima information. Collective submissions. Retrieved from: https://mandati.saeima.lv/kolekt%C4%ABvie-iesniegumi (22.04.2024.). [In Latvian]
43. Pallinger Z. T. et al. (eds). (2007) Direct Democracy in Europe: Developments and Prospects, Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften.
44. Kobach K. W. (1993) The Referendum: Direct Democracy in Switzerland. Aldershot: Dartmouth Publishing Company Ltd.