Latvia
- Constitution (2022)
- Declaration on the Renewal of Independence (1990)
- Declaration on the Accession to Human Rights Instruments (1990)
- The Rights and Obligations of a Citizen and a Person (1991)
- Parliament
- Government
- Constitutional Court
- Basic Treaties and Documents (French)
Constitutional Background
The Constitution of Latvia (Satversme) ist the oldest Eastern or Central European constitution still in force and the sixth oldest still-functioning republican basic law in the word. It was adopted on 15 February 1922. On 21 August 1991 the Republic of Latvia declared its independence from the Soviet Union. The Saeima, Latvia's parliament, was again elected in 1993 and the constitution from 1922 was fully reintroduced by the first assembly of the Saeima. Since then, the constitution has been significantly amended in October 1998 by inserting a new Chapter VIII on fundamental rights. That chapter replaces the 1991 Constitutional Law about the Rights and Obligations of a Citizen and a Person; the old document is still available as an ICL edition.
History and News
- 4 October 2018: Constitutional Amendment: Art. 36 (President of the State to be elected by open ballot).
- 1 July 2016: Latvia becomes a member of the OECD.
- 14 June 2016: Constitutional Amendment: Art. 30.
- 19 June 2014: Constitutional Amendment.
- 19 September 2013: Constitutional Amendment: Art. 85.
- 8 April 2009: Constitutional Amendment: Art. 13, Art. 14, 49 (Dissolution of the Parliament).
- 3 May 2007: Constitutional Amendments: Art. 40, 81.
- 2006: Constitutional Amendment: Art. 110 (Definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman).
- 23 September 2004: Constitutional Amendments: Art. 69, 71, 72, 98, 101.
- 1 May 2004: Latvia becomes a member of the European Union.
- 29 March 2004: Latvia joins the NATO.
- {§\tab}8 May 2003: Constitutional Amendments were made in order for Latvia to join the European Union (Art. 68, 79.
- 30 April 2002: Constitutional Amendment: Art. 18 (requirement for members of the Parliament to give a solemn promise to acquire their mandate was added), Art. 21, 104.
- 15 October 1998: Constitutional Amendments: Art. 4, 7, 82, Chapter 8 (fundamental human rights) and official status was secured to the Latvian language.
- 4 December 1997: Constitutional Amendments: Major changes to the articles regulating the process of elections and the functions of the Parliament and President (Art. 10, 11, 13, 35, 37, 39, 45, 84).
- 5 June 1996: The Constitutional Court was established.
- 27 January 1994: The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18.
- 1991: Amendment to the 1922 constitution providing for basic rights and freedoms.
- 6 Sep 1991: Independence from Soviet Union.
- 1922: First constitution adopted.
- 18 Nov 1918: Independence day.