All About Latvia

An Opportunity to be Heard

Apr 08

AleksUncategorized Comments Off

On April 3, the government has started a signature drive for a national referendum. News media noted that many people signed up on the first day, asking a few questions what it’s all about. Last month, the President evoked article 72 of the Constitution for the first time in Latvia’s history to put two national-security laws for public referendum. Now, the authorities must collect about 140,000 signatures for the referendum to take place. The collection of signatures will go on until May 2. And the results of the drive must be announced before May 10.

Since the President’s announcement, of course, the Saeima voted to repeal the two national security laws which became the cornerstone of contention between the President and the Parliament. It’s amazing that it had taken such an unprecedented measure for 100 wise guys to get their act together.

Underneath the concern for the large expense the government will have to incur for staging the referendum, there’s simple fear. The ruling coalition is fearful of the public opinion because the coalition knows the referendum will not be about the two laws, but on the government itself.

In an interview to one Latvian newspaper, speaker of the Parliament, Indulis Emsis, called the referendum “unnecessary.”

“I, as the speaker of the Saeima, said that to go sign the petition is completely meaningless along with the participation in this referendum, because the result is foreknown,” Emsis said. He added legal experts agree that the referendum lost its significance since the laws have been repealed.

Never mind that my undermining the article of the Constitution that calls for referendum, one of the most important people in Latvia’s politics today undermines the Constitution itself. Never mind that as a public figure, Emsis ought to be listening to the voters and offering some accountability for the government’s actions of which his party is a part.

“The referendum will be, if Jaunais Laiks – for political reasons — invites people to sign the petition and if people will listen to Jaunais Laiks,” he said.

From the interview, it appears Emsis has no regrets about the national security laws amendments that cause a strip between two branches of government.

Jaunais Laiks party came third in the last election, but hadn’t participated in creating a government. For ruling parties, this referendum will be a referendum on their action. For opposition parties, it’s indeed a political opportunity to knock down the existing government. But for voters, it’s another opportunity to express their trust to the ruling coalition.