33 years since Latvia's first post-independence Saeima elections

In 1993, Latvia held elections of special historical significance — for most of the country's citizens, it was the very first time they could cast a vote in a Saeima election. The previous time parliament had been elected was back in the autumn of 1931, meaning the break in parliamentary life lasted a full 62 years.

Why there were no elections for so long

This lengthy pause was caused by a series of historical events. Democratic governance was first interrupted by the authoritarian coup carried out by Kārlis Ulmanis. Later, the chance to hold free elections was blocked by the occupation of Nazi Germany and then by the Soviet Union, which continued in Latvia for several decades.

A return to democracy

Only after regaining independence did Latvia's citizens again get the chance to take part in free, democratic parliamentary elections. The 1993 vote elected the 5th Saeima and marked an important step in restoring the country's constitutional order and democratic system after nearly six decades without one.

With current pre-election matters and the accompanying public passions in mind, LSM invites readers to look back at history and test their knowledge of events from 33 years ago — the moment when Latvia's citizens, for the first time after a long interruption, exercised their voting rights in the newly independent state.