Latvian citizenship referendum, 1998
Encyclopedia
The Latvian citizenship referendum, 1998 was a Latvia
n referendum on amendments to the Citizenship law. The amendments were adopted by the Saeima
in June. They increased the opportunities for naturalization
and provided the additional option of obtaining Latvian citizenship for non-citizens
(nepilsoņi) and stateless persons (bezvalstnieki) born in Latvia from August 1991 onwards. The referendum took place on October, 3, 1998. Voter turnout was 69.16%. 44.89% voted in favour of repealing the amendments, 52.54 % — against.
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
n referendum on amendments to the Citizenship law. The amendments were adopted by the Saeima
Saeima
Saeima is the parliament of the Republic of Latvia. It is a unicameral parliament consisting of 100 members who are elected by proportional representation, with seats allocated to political parties which gain at least 5% of the popular vote. Elections are scheduled to be held once every four years,...
in June. They increased the opportunities for naturalization
Naturalization
Naturalization is the acquisition of citizenship and nationality by somebody who was not a citizen of that country at the time of birth....
and provided the additional option of obtaining Latvian citizenship for non-citizens
Non-citizens (Latvia)
Non-citizens in Latvian law are individuals who are not citizens of Latvia or any other country but, who, in accordance with the Latvian law "Regarding the status of citizens of the former USSR who possess neither Latvian nor other citizenship", have the right to a non-citizen passport issued by...
(nepilsoņi) and stateless persons (bezvalstnieki) born in Latvia from August 1991 onwards. The referendum took place on October, 3, 1998. Voter turnout was 69.16%. 44.89% voted in favour of repealing the amendments, 52.54 % — against.