How the 15th Saeima Can Leave the Istanbul Convention Alone, and Whether a Consultative Referendum Is Needed
Latvia's new parliament has several ways to set aside the Istanbul Convention question, though it could also be raised again. Constitutional law expert Edgars Pastars says putting it to a popular vote would require amending the Satversme.
The newly elected Saeima, Latvia's parliament in its 15th convocation, has several ways to leave the Istanbul Convention issue untouched. The convention is a Council of Europe international treaty aimed at preventing violence against women and domestic violence. The question of whether Latvia should remain a party to it effectively marked the start of the pre-election campaign a year ago, according to research by the news portal LSM.lv.
The issue could return
LSM.lv found that the Saeima may simply not address the topic. However, the same question could just as easily be raised again. It will therefore be up to the new parliament to decide whether this contentious matter returns to the political agenda.
The referendum question
There is also the question of whether a consultative referendum is needed to put the matter to the public. Edgars Pastars, an expert in constitutional law, is convinced that taking the issue to a popular vote would require amending the Satversme, Latvia's constitution.
LSM prepared an explanatory analysis of how the new Saeima can handle the Istanbul Convention and whether a consultative referendum is or is not necessary in this case.
