2011 Latvian parliamentary dissolution referendum

Last updated

2011 Latvian parliamentary dissolution referendum
Flag of Latvia.svg
23 July 2011
Are you in favor of dismissing the 10th Saeima?
Results
Choice
Votes%
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svgYes650,51894.50%
Light brown x.svgNo37,8295.50%
Valid votes688,34799.79%
Invalid or blank votes1,4760.21%
Total votes689,823100.00%
Registered voters/turnout1,542,59344.72%

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.

Contents

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

ChoiceVotes%
Check-71-128-204-brightblue.svg Yes650,51894.30
No37,8295.48
Invalid or blank votes1,4760.21
Total votes689,823100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,542,59344.73
Source: CVK
Referendum results (excluding invalid votes)
Yes
650,518 (94.5%)

50%

References