Latvia is a European country located on the shores of the Baltic Sea, sharing a border with Estonia, Lithuania, Russia, and Belarus. The population of this country is approx 18,42,000 with 64,589 square kilometers area. The official language is Latvian. When a referendum was held on whether to accept Russian as a second official language, the "no vote" won. Many ethnic communities, including the 63% Latvians, 24.2% Russians, 3.1% Belarusians, 2.2% Ukrainians, 1.9% Poles, 1.1% Lithuanians, 0.3% Roma, live in the state. 64% of the Country's citizens are Christians, and more than half of them are the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia. 35% of Latvian citizens are atheists.
Both interesting and questionable aspects are few in Latvia's constitution. The scope for discussion is limited. Everyone in Latvia has the right to know about their rights. Everyone has the right to social security in old age, incapacity for work, unemployment and in other cases provided by law.
There is a negative aspect. The President can send the proposal for a referendum to dissolve the parliament before the scheduled time. If it is approved by the voters, parliament will be dissolved, and if it is not approved, the presidency will be dissolved. A Parliament should enjoy a full term limit. Overthrowing midway is an affront to democracy. Besides, the powers of the President and Parliament should be completely separated.
Admirable Articles of Latvia's Constitution
Article 90
Everyone has the right to know about his or her rights.
Article 109
Everyone has the right to social security in old age, for work disability, for unemployment and in other cases as provided by law.
Article 110
The State shall protect and support marriage – a union between a man and a woman, the family, the rights of parents and rights of the child. The State shall provide special support to disabled children, children left without parental care or who have suffered from violence.
Facts of Latvia's Constitution
Article 48
The President shall be entitled to propose the dissolution of the Saeima. Following this proposal, a national referendum shall be held. If in the referendum more than half of the votes are cast in favour of dissolution, the Saeima shall be considered dissolved, new elections called, and such elections held no later than two months after the date of the dissolution of the Saeima.
Article 49
If the Saeima has been dissolved or recalled, the mandate of the members of the Saeima shall continue to be in effect until the convening of the newly elected Saeima, but the former Saeima may only hold sittings upon the request of the President. The President shall determine the agenda of such sittings of the Saeima. New elections shall take place not earlier than one month and not later than two months after recalling of the Saeima.
Article 50
If in the referendum more than half of the votes are cast against the dissolution of the Saeima, then the President shall be deemed to be removed from office, and the Saeima shall elect a new President to serve for the remaining term of office of the President so removed.
