Doctor Becomes Latvia’s 7th President
It is a sad day for Latvian people.
This morning, with 58 votes, Saeima voted for the Anointed Valdis Zatlers, MD, to become the next Latvian president. Since early morning outside the parliament building in the Old Town two camps chanted names of their favorites, which at one point transformed into a shouting match, as if whoever shouts the loudest wins.
The Zatlers crowd held favorable portraits of their candidate. I was surprised they found any. Dressed in medical uniforms, young men and women shouted “Zatlers, Zatlers,” often encouraged by a man with a man-purse, who looked like he was in charge. I wouldn’t be surprised if some in the Zatlers crowd belonged to a Rent-A-Crowd company. Nowadays, democratic opposition can be bought.
On the other side of the street, people of various ages wore T-shirts, that read Aivars Endzins - People’s President. They chanted Endzins for President, Zatlers for Doctor. A few people stood around listening to the parliamentary proceedings on the radio.
The police separated the two camps, which mostly behaved very peacefully. The police gave way to tourists and other passers by.
The shouting match between the two camps suggested a need to reform the system where the President is elected by the Parliament alone. This is the first time in Latvia’s history two presidential candidates met for public debates. This is the first time in Latvia’s history supporters of two candidates gathered near the parliament to make their voices heard.
And this is the first time in my recent memory, the Parliament voted in a person opposed by so many organizations.
Cynical Latvian public already views democratic processes and the ruling gang with great suspicion. Politicians can be bought and most of them are, people say. Political elite in this small Baltic state ostracizes the people they’re supposed to serve farther and farther. Both notions supported by the farce of a presidential campaign and the results of the presidential election.
According to polls, most people wanted to see Endzins as their president, yet the ruling coalition pushed for its own candidate. People wanted to see Endzins because Zatlers at this point appears to be nothing else but a marionette in hands of oligarchs.
The election of Zatlers, a doctor with practically no political experience, signifies the tighter hold on power by what some editorials call “a gang that rules our country,” or the coalition government, and, the continued sale of Latvia’s independence to foreign entities in particular to our immediate East.
May 31st, 2007 at 15.44
“Cynical Latvian public already views democratic processes and ruling gang with great suspicion.”
They have a perfect opportunity to have their voices heard on July 7th. Let’s just hope they don’t drop the ball.
Thank you for your analysis. I do share some of your feelings about this, but I am not as pessimistic as you sound. Zatlers may yet surprise us, although this is most likely a long shot, and he has not shown himself to be the polished diplomat and savvy politician VVF has become.
I personally believe Dr. Zatlers to be an honourable man, but it remains to be seen if he will be able to see through the ruling coalition’s machinations and act in the best interests of the Latvian people. That’s a tall order.
May 31st, 2007 at 15.53
I don’t know what good the July 7th referendum will do. I’ve been thinking about it the other day – people are voting on laws that have been repealed anyway. Will the ruling coalition heed the call after the referendum? I don’t think so. Will the ruling coalition break? I don’t think so either. The referendum is going to show that people aren’t pleased with the government (more so after today, I suspect), but it’s unlikely to change the government.
Sad to say it but I think an economic crisis as some experts predict may break down the governing coalition and with that the power of four ruling parties.
Also, I suspect if the government decides to publish the list of the recipients of money from the imprisoned mayor of Ventspils Aivars Lembergs, some heads will roll to the point that early presidential elections may be called.
About Zatlers — I suspect I may change my mind about the doctor. But at this point, the burden of proof is on him – He as the newly elected president has to show the people that he is an independent representative who is politically savvy. As of tonight, he hasn’t done that.
May 31st, 2007 at 19.22
About Zatlers, I fully agree with your statement.
When the President invoked article 72 of the constitution, the proclamation of those ammendments into law was suspended until the outcome of a referendum. Thus the Saeima does not have any law to amend. That’s only my understanding of parliamentary procedures, and perhaps I am mistaken in this particular case. If you know for a fact that the ammendments were effectively repealed, I would love to see the evidence. From what I have read, I understand the ruling coalition has only offered to repeal the ammendments, which they can do once they are proclaimed into law by the President.
The big risk here is that if the referendum does fail, the ruling coalition with its new President may feel emboldened to reneg on their “promise”.
June 1st, 2007 at 0.36
The Parliament did repeal those laws and then the ruling coalition used it as a reason for people not to sign for a referendum. In fact, Saeima started working on it five days after the president’s announcement
If the referendum fails, the laws will go into effect for one day before they’re suspended.
I agree that if referendum fails the coalition will take it as a sign of its legitimacy and public support. If it doesn’t fail, though, the coalition will take it to mean it’s only about those laws and not the coalition itself.
June 1st, 2007 at 11.37
I’m truly sorry
June 1st, 2007 at 15.14
My comment vanished here too…
Thank you for the clarification. I still find it surprising the Saeima would pass a law to repeal a law that may turn out to be a non-existent one if the referendum succeeds. Besides, doesn’t the President need to promulgate the repeal of the law within 21 days? Those 21 days have long passed and there still is no law to repeal…
To me this just shows how manipulative the current leadership is, trying to circumvent & subvert the Satversme to their needs. And I apologise for going off-topic on this thread.
June 1st, 2007 at 15.38
Sorry about the missing comment, Pierre.
The Saeima, at least as far as I understand it, didn’t pass a new law, but repealed the one it’s already passed, which the president refused to promulgate. A bit confusing, I know.
No need to apologizing…
June 4th, 2007 at 3.57
Latvia’s new president – with absolutely no political or legal experience – makes Bush look good! or is that the idea?
June 4th, 2007 at 13.58
Zatler’s appointment as President of Latvia just proves that Latvians do not live in a democracy. Support for Endzins was overwhelming, so why isn’t he president? Zatler was appointed by Parliament, not elected by the Latvian people, so that Parliament would have a presidential pawn, someone that can be manipulated by the whim of the “grey cardinals” running the Latvian government. Zatler will supply the presidential rubber stamp that current Prime Minister Kalvitis and his friendsm so desperately want. Latvians do not even vote for members of parliament, they vote for a political party, and they place their favorite good ole boys in power, again, in disregard for the wishes of the populace. Look at the Ainars Slesers phenomenon. Regarding the pending referendum on the demise of the goverment, you can be assurred Zalter will do everything in his power to keep the P.M. Kalvitis government intact. Zatlers action are predicted, and will be contrary to the wishes of the Latvian people who have demonstrated their lack of confidence in the current parliament. Latvia is not a democracy, its a little former chechist country where police and prosecuters are easily bought; the good ole boys get away with their mischief or do not get prosecuted at all. 50 years of Soviet occupation has by and large left devastating consquences on the Latvian mindset.
June 9th, 2007 at 23.33
Surely it is a case of Latvia not gaining a president but losing a very good surgeon.
June 12th, 2007 at 13.48
Get behind your president. He needs all the authority there is. His powers are limited any way. Remember, Latvia is a small country which needs stability and unity. Latvian’s are better off making internal political compromises. Forces that don’t wish Latvia well are basking in your never ending disputes and distrust.