The Influence of the Constitution upon the Development of Constitutionalism of Latvia

Abstract

In the report the problem of the influence of the Constitution (Satversme) upon the development of constitutionalism of Latvia is analyzed. First of all the report draws one's attention to the fact that there exist a distinction between concept of Constitution and Constitutionalism. Constitutions are about public power and about the power bodies and power relationships. Constitutionalism is about limiting state power and represents values and methods, thus it serves the stability of state and man's liberty. The main attention is paid to the influence of Constitution of the Republic of Latvia (Satversme) upon the development and consolidation of constitutionalism in Latvia. By evaluating the contextual elements of the Constitution (Satversme) of the Republic of Latvia, the author discovers strikingly dominating features of main blocks of the expression of the constitutionalism in this constitution and its influential role. It covers a wide range constitutionally important factors- people sovereignty, division of the state powers, basic rights and freedoms, constitutional court and rule of law. From the affect of these factors, it supervenes that the state of Latvia and society has developed elements of constitutionalism, which forms a ground for integration into EU structures.