2011 Latvian parliamentary dissolution referendum

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.

2011 Latvian parliamentary dissolution referendum

23 July 2011
Are you in favor of dismissing the 10th Saeima?
Results
Choice Votes  % Yes 650,518 94.50% No 37,829 5.50% Valid votes 688,347 99.79% Invalid or blank votes 1,476 0.21% Total votes 689,823 100.00% Registered voters/turnout 1,542,593 44.72%

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	%
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/turnout	1,542,593	44.73
Source: CVK

Referendum results (excluding invalid votes)
Yes 650,518 (94.5%)
▲ 50%