Lauris Liepa
Latvia’s historic experience provides fertile ground for examination of impact of authoritarian ideas to the society. Foreign occupation by Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Russia as well as Breznev’s personality cult had been forcefully imposed long-standing models of authoritarian power. Latvian nation had experienced also its own authoritarian leader, when Prime Minister Karlis Ulmanis assumed the legislative power in May 15, 1934. Although Ulmanis had concentrated powers of the government, the parliament Saeima as well as the obtained President’s title (in 1936), creating somewhat unique absolute dictatorship, his regime has been described as a relatively mild. Despite wide repressions of his political opposition and bans of all political parties, including his own Farmers Union, there were no lethal victims neither at the night of taking power, nor during Ulmanis’ authoritarian rule until Soviet occupation in 1940. Time of his power is considered by many Latvians to be the golden age of Latvian independence.
Historical sentiment in combination with apparent weakness of present day parliament and often-changing governments has caused dissatisfaction in the current political situation. Calls for stronger leader and concentration of executive power are popular not only in public discussions but also in professional debate, including among experts of constitutional law. Several proposals to amend the Latvian constitution – Satversme – had been proposed, containing direct election of president by voters and extended executive powers to the president. These proposals had never been enforced in the text of constitution, despite regular debate on the balance of powers between the president and the government. Even if authoritarian ideas carry certain risks of illegitimate amalgamation of powers, the presence of these ideas in the open discussion forums is certainly a positive feature. These ideas stimulate politicians to improve efficiency of the political processes and streamline governments work. In the modern state, governed by the rule of law, strong and independent judiciary is a guarantor of democratic status of the government, therefore authoritarian ideas will be prevented from their extreme and wrongful implementation by the Constitutional court of Latvia.
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