Report: Latvia president dissolves parliament, effective immediately

Source: cnn

Latvia's president disolved the national legislature on Saturday, according to the Baltic country's official news agency LETA.

President Valdis Zatlers made his announcement following a nationally televised address. The move takes effect immediately, LETA reported, though there was no immediate indication.

Zatlers made the move one day after he met U.S. President Barack Obama at a meeting in Warsaw, Poland, that also included other central and eastern European leaders.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/05/28/latvia.parliament/index.html?eref=edition

Below is a Wiki description of the President of Latvia. It says he has "influence" rather than power but goes on to say that "(t)he President also has the right, in extremis, to call a referendum on the premature dissolution of Parliament". I would think that the referendum would be called in conjunction with the dissolution of Parliament but that didn't seem to happen. Did he act legally?

President Valdis Zatlers


8 July 2007


The president is elected by Parliament for a maximum of two terms of four-years, by secret ballot and by an absolute majority of the vote (Constitution of Latvia, Articles 35, 36 and 39).

The President is a largely ceremonial Head of State, and in common with other presidents in parliamentary republics, the President of Latvia has influence and authority rather than power.

Although the President is formally the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, signs treaties, represents Latvia abroad, and officially appoints ambassadors and other key officials, these powers are constitutionally exercised on the binding advice of the Prime Minister, who is politically responsible for them (Constitution of Latvia, Article 53). The President does, however, have personal discretion over the proposal of legislation to the Parliament, vetoing legislation, calling referendums on legislation, and nominating the Prime Minister. The President also has the right, in extremis, to call a referendum on the premature dissolution of Parliament: if the referendum is passed, Parliament is dissolved; but if the referendum fails, the President must resign.

Its constitution started with a "W".

The easiest is through Pakistan. The second is through Latvia.

This is a significant year for the defence sector in Latvia – several military exercises for the Baltic States are being held in Latvia and are also attended by NATO and partner countries from the Alliance program of practical bilateral cooperation “Partnership for Peace”. 16 military exercises are being organized in Latvia in 2010 including three high level international military exercises. Soldiers from the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) are participating in 42 military exercises in Latvia and abroad this year.

The aim of military exercises

By organizing international military exercises Latvia examines its capability to host allied forces in its territory and improves the professional qualifications of soldiers for international operation in Afghanistan. The main task of NAF and each individual soldier during peace time is to improve their professional skills, therefore the organization of military exercises is so important. The participation of NAF soldiers in international exercises is a significant part of their education which improves the professional skills of soldiers and their ability to cooperate in a multinational environment as well as increases the compatibility of the allied forces. Military exercises in the Baltic States reassure the region about presence of NATO forces.

The priority: international military exercises

In line with budget cuts in the Ministry of Defence, military exercises which improve NAF skills are the main priorities of the ministry. In 2010 Latvia hosts three high level international military exercises – “Baltic Host” (the beginning of June), “BALTOPS” (the beginning of June) and “Saber Strike” (during autumn).

http://baltic-review.com/2010/08/11/overview-of-international-military-exercises-in-latvia-during-2010/

Latvia is ready to ensure a transit route to Afghanistan for non-military NATO cargo, according to today's positive decision by the government to sign agreements with two international companies which will assist Latvia in ensuring the transit routes.

Defense Ministry State Secretary Janis Sarts told members of the press that the first cargo shipments to Afghanistan via Latvia will be shipped in the near future, however, he did not mention the NATO members who are intending to ship their cargo through Latvia, informs LETA.

http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/transport/?doc=23485

Plus

India and the Central Asian republic of Uzbekistan Monday upgraded their bilateral ties to a strategic relationship, and held discussions on the precarious situation in Afghanistan.

This was announced after the end of discussions between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and visiting Uzbek President Islam Karimov here Wednesday.

http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a222557.html

Gonna be a long time before we get out of Afghanistan. Pakistan needs to start playing on the US ball team or see its funding decline dramatically.