Latvian parliamentary dissolution referendum, 2011

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A referendum on whether the Saeima should be dissolved early was held in Latvia on 23 July 2011.[1] President Valdis Zatlers used his parliamentary dissolution power for the first time in the history of Latvia.[2] A "yes/no" vote was held and the referendum passed with 94.3% support.

Background

President Valdis Zatlers called the referendum under the power given to him by the constitution on 28 May 2011.[2] Zatlers called the referendum in response to the Saeima's refusal to sanction a search at the home of MP Ainārs Šlesers, leader of Latvia's First Party/Latvian Way and a former cabinet minister.[3] According to the current legal procedure, the referendum on the Saeima's dissolution had to take place no later than two months after the President's decree.[4]

The Constitution of Latvia foresaw that if the people had not supported Zatlers' decision, he would have had to resign from the presidency. This could have created a judicial conundrum, however, since Zatlers' current term expired on 7 July and the Saeima held a presidential election (in which Zatlers was also a candidate) on 2 June.[5] As Zatlers was not reelected, however, this conundrum was avoided.

Opinion polls

Polls indicated that the referendum would pass by a strong margin.

Results

Choice Votes %
Referendum passed Yes 650,518 94.30
No 37,829 5.48
Invalid or blank votes 1,476 0.21
Total votes 689,823 100.00
Registered voters and turnout 1,542,593 44.73
Source: CVK

References

  1. ↑ Referendums par Zatlera ierosinājumu atlaist Saeimu notiks 23.jūlijā Delfi, 20 May 2011
  2. 1 2 Zatlers nolemj rosināt Saeimas atlaišanu Delfi, 28 May 2011
  3. ↑ Latvia to Vote on Dissolving Parliament Amid Corruption Probe Bloomberg, 29 May 2011
  4. ↑ Saeimas atlaišanas procesa juridiskā analīze Office of the President, 29 May 2011
  5. ↑ Zatlers ir Latvijas vēsturē pirmais Saeimas atlaišanas ierosinātājs Delfi, 28 May 2011
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