The elections in July 1940 to the Parliament of occupied Latvia were held under conditions of political terror after an illegal and unconstitutional election law had been adopted. Of the 17 lists of candidates submitted, only one was permitted in the elections and results of the elections were falsified (Edvins, 247). Consequently, the results did not represent the will of the Latvian people; specifically no referendum was held. According to international law, the incorporation of Latvia into the Soviet Union is invalid (www.eunet). In turn, the Republic of Latvia continues to exist to date as a subject of international law and is recognized as

Before and after the referendum, Prime Minister Andris Skele made many comments about it. Prior to voting, he told people not to vote, calling it "unnecessary". After the referendum, Skele scolded the opposition, saying that referenda should only be used properly (Edvins, 245). By not voting, citizens forsake their responsibility as members of a democratic society. Prime Minister Skele has always been accused of being less than democratic in his style of rule, but this has been thus far the biggest and most overt example of this tendency. This could spark trouble if opposition groups decide to fold their arms and abuse the simple process of initiating them.

International Monetary Fund. LATVIA Economic Review.

such by more than 50 nations of the world (http://lgi.osi.hu).

Some topics in this essay:
DEMOCRACY Latvia, Elections Latvia, EXECUTIVE BRANCH, DIRECT DEMOCRACY, Republic Latvia, Latvian Government, Latvia Satversme, Andris Skele, Communist Party, DEMOCRATIZATION PROCESS, vote referendum, political culture, republic latvia, international monetary fund, international monetary, monetary fund, prime minister, social political, passed parliament, international law, constitution republic, constitution republic latvia,