We have to create the history of Latvia ourselves, said in a congratulatory message on the anniversary of the convening of the Constituent Assembly, the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs, LETA reports.
The politician noted that the first parliament of Latvia "was diverse both in national composition and in opinions, just like modern Latvia"; however, in two years, the Constituent Assembly managed to agree on the adoption of the fundamental law of the state, which clearly answers three questions: what is Latvia, what is it like, and why does it exist.
"These answers were relevant both to that time and to the present and will always be relevant. We have to create the history of Latvia ourselves, and the Constitution is a kind of table of contents that reminds us in which direction to move. And every time we feel that we have lost our way, it is enough to open this table of contents to remember what Latvia is, what it is like, and why it exists and will continue to exist. In the Republic of Latvia, power belongs to the people of Latvia. Power is a great responsibility. And today we bear the responsibility to celebrate this holiday with dignity," emphasized the president.
Today, Latvia celebrates the 106th anniversary of the convening of the Constituent Assembly.
The Constituent Assembly held its first meeting on May 1, 1920. It was elected based on modern and progressive principles by Western European standards — democratically, granting voting rights to both genders, taking into account the interests of national minorities and other freedoms.
Almost 85% of registered voters participated in the elections for the Constituent Assembly on April 17 and 18, 1920. It included various political forces: social democrats, Latvian bourgeois parties, representatives of national minorities, and other parties.
Initially, 150 deputies from 16 lists were elected to the Constituent Assembly. In the autumn of 1920, its composition was supplemented by two more deputies from Northern Vidzeme, where elections had not taken place in April as these territories were under the control of the Estonian army at that time.
The chairman of the Constituent Assembly was the chairman of the People's Council, Jānis Čakste. The president of the first popularly elected legislative body also performed the functions of the head of state.
The main task of the Constituent Assembly was to develop the constitution. At the same time, it adopted a number of other laws. The agenda included issues of state administration and the judicial system, the territorial division of Latvia, the financial and social system, as well as many others. The Constituent Assembly worked for more than two and a half years and during this time held 213 meetings.
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