Constitutional Identity Between Riga and Strasbourg: The Courts’ Dialogue Developing Latvian Constitutional Law

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22364/jull.17.12

Keywords:

constitutional identity, inviolable core of the Satversme, Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, European Court of Human Rights, Court of Justice of the European Union, Court’s dialogue

Abstract

The article provides insight into the recent development of the concept of constitutional identity in the Latvian legal system. The authors mainly focus on the dialogue between the national highest courts, especially the Constitutional Court, and the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union, concerning the concept of constitutional identity.

In recent years, both supranational courts have dealt with cases involving various aspects of Latvia’s constitutional identity and the respected constitutional values, norms, and principles that define it, as well as the relevant jurisprudence of the national highest courts. The case study of Latvia demonstrates that it is possible to guarantee a harmonious approach to implementing constitutional identity in light of the state’s international obligations as a member of the European Union and the Convention on Human Rights.

Author Biographies

  • Artūrs Kučs, Faculty of Law, University of Latvia

    Dr. iur. 
    Faculty of Law, University of Latvia
    Associate Professor at the Department of International and European Union Law

  • Jānis Pleps, Faculty of Law, University of Latvia

    Dr. iur. 
    Faculty of Law, University of Latvia
    Assistant Professor at the Department of Legal Theory and History

References

Balodis, R. Latvijas Republikas Satversmes ievads [The preamble of the Satversme of the Republic of Latvia]. In: Latvijas Republikas Satversmes komentāri. Ievads. I nodaļa. Vispārējie noteikumi. Rīga: Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2014, pp. 91–135.

Breuer, M. (ed.). Principled Resistance to ECtHR Judgments: A New Paradigm? Berlin: Springer, 2019, pp. 3–34.

Dišlers, K. Ievads Latvijas valststiesību zinātnē [Introduction to the Science of Latvian Public Law]. Rīga: A. Gulbis, 1930.

Druviete, I., Veisbergs, A. The Latvian language in the 21st century. In: Latvia and Latvians. Collection of scholarly articles in 2 volumes. Volume 1. Rīga: Latvian Academy of Sciences, 2018, pp. 244–278.

Grigore-Bāra, E., Kovaļevska, A., Liepa, L., Levits, E., Mits, M., Rezevska, D., Rozenvalds, J., Sniedzīte, G. Satversmes 1. pants [Article 1 of the Satversme]. In: Latvijas Republikas Satversmes komentāri. Ievads. I nodaļa. Vispārējie noteikumi. Rīga: Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2014, pp. 136–232.

Kusiņš, G. 1990. gada 4. maija deklarācija [Declaration of 4 May 1990]. Available: https://enciklopedija.lv/skirklis/146164-1990-gada-4-maija-deklar%C4%81cija [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Kusiņš, G. Konstitucionālo tiesību pamati [Foundations of Constitutional Law]. In: Publiskās tiesības. Ievads. Rīga: Tiesu Namu Aģentūra, 2024, pp. 250–282.

Lazdiņš, J. Consolidation of the Principle of Democratic Elections in the Law of the Latvian People. Journal of the University of Latvia. Law, Vol. 16, 2023, pp. 160–177.

Lenaerts, K. Introductory speech by Mr. Koen Lenaerts, President of the Court of Justice of the European Union. In: EUnited in diversity: between common constitutional traditions and national identities. International Conference Riga, Latvia, 2–3 September 2021. Conference proceedings. Luxembourg: Court of Justice of the European Union, 2022, pp. 15–16.

Levits, E. Desmit gadi kopš konstitucionālā satricinājuma [Ten years since the constitutional upheaval]. Jurista Vārds, No. 8(1222), 22.02.2022, pp. 8–10.

Osipova, S. Tautas gars, pamatnorma un konstitucionālā identitāte [Spirit of nation, Grundnorm and constitutional identity]. In: Tiesību interpretācija un tiesību jaunrade – kā atrast pareizo līdzsvaru. Latvijas Universitātes 71. zinātniskās konferences rakstu krājums. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2013, pp. 303–309.

Osipova, S. Latvijas Republikas konstitucionālā identitāte Satversmes tiesas spriedumos [The constitutional identity of the Republic of Latvia in the jurisprudence of the Constitutional Court]. Jurista Vārds, No. 27(1033), 03.07.2018, pp. 8–13.

The Constitution of the Republic of Latvia. Available: https://likumi.lv/ta/en/en/id/57980-the-constitution-of-the-republic-of-latvia [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Grozījumi Latvijas Republikas Satversmē [Amendments to the Satversme of the Republic of Latvia] (15.10.1998). Available: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/50292-grozijumi-latvijas-republikas-satversme [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Grozījums Latvijas Republikas Satversmē [Amendment to the Satversme of the Republic of Latvia] (19.06.2014). Available: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/267428-grozijums-latvijas-republikas-satversme [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Par Latvijas Republikas neatkarības atjaunošanu [On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia]. Available: https://likumi.lv/ta/en/en/id/75539-on-the-restoration-of-independence-of-the-republic-of-latvia [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Vienna Convention on the Law of International Treaties. Available: https://legal.un.org/ilc/texts/instruments/english/conventions/1_1_1969.pdf [last viewed 06.06.2024].

European Convention on Human Rights. Available: https://www.echr.coe.int/documents/d/echr/convention_ENG [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Treaty on European Union OV C 202, 7.6.2016, pp. 0016–0045. Available: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/collection/eu-law/treaties/treaties-force.html [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Judgement of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia of 7 April 2009 in case No. 2008-35-01. Available: https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/web/viewer.html?file=/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2008-35_01_ENG.pdf [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Judgement of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia in case No. 2010-20-0106 of 17 February 2011. Available: https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/web/viewer.html?file=/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/2010-20-0106_Spriedums_ENG.pdf [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Judgement of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia of 2 July 2015, in case No. 2015-01-01. Available: https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/web/viewer.html?file=/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-01-01_Spriedums_ENG.pdf [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Judgement of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia in case No. 2018 12 01 of 23 April 2019. Available: https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/web/viewer.html?file=/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2018-12-01-12.-Saeimas-dep_latvie%C5%A1u-valoda-valsts-skol%C4%81s_ENG.pdf [last viewed 03.06.2024].

Judgement of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia of 4 June 2021, in case No. 2020-39-02. Available: https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/web/viewer.html?file=https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2020-39-02_Judgement.pdf [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Judgement of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia in case No. 2023 04 0106 of 15 February 2024. Available: https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/web/viewer.html?file=https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-04-0106_Spriedums.pdf [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia on terminating judicial proceedings in case No. 2012-03-01 of December 19, 2012. Available: https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/web/viewer.html?file=/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/2012-03-01_Lemums_izbeigsana_ENG.pdf [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Latvia on terminating judicial proceedings in case No. 2021-10-03 of 18 February 2022. Available: https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/web/viewer.html?file=https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2021-10-03_lemums_par_tiesvedibas_izbeigsanu.pdf [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Judgement of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia of 30 April 2013 in case No. SKA-172/2013. Available: https://manas.tiesas.lv/eTiesasMvc/nolemumi/pdf/127853.pdf [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Judgement of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia on February 12, 2014, in case No. SA-1/2014. Available: https://manas.tiesas.lv/eTiesasMvc/nolemumi/pdf/355724.pdf [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Judgement of the Supreme Court of 22 March 2019 in case No. SKA-232/2019. Available: https://manas.tiesas.lv/eTiesasMvc/nolemumi/pdf/378561.pdf [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Judgement of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Latvia of 10 December 2021 in case no. SKA-[B1]. Available: https://www.at.gov.lv/downloadlawfile/8243 [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Judgement of the Federal Constitutional Court on June 30, 2009, in case No. 2BvE 2/08. Available: https://www.bundesverfassungsgericht.de/SharedDocs/Entscheidungen/EN/2009/06/es20090630_2bve000208en.html [last viewed 31.05.2024].

Judgement of 13 February 2020 of the European Court of Human Rights in case N.D. and N.T. v. Spain [GC], No. 8675/15 and 8697/15, para. 110. Available: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/fre#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-201353%22]} [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Judgement of 13 July 2021 of the European Court of Human Rights in case Fedotova and others v. Russia [GC], No. 40792/10, Available: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22appno%22:[%2240792/10%22],%22documentcollectionid2%22:[%22GRANDCHAMBER%22,%22CHAMBER%22],%22itemid%22:[%22001-222750%22]} [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Judgement of 26 February 2004 of the European Court of Human Rights in case Gorgulu v. Germany, No. 74969/01, Available: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22appno%22:[%2274969/01%22],%22documentcollectionid2%22:[%22GRANDCHAMBER%22,%22CHAMBER%22],%22itemid%22:[%22001-61646%22]} [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Judgement of 4 July 2013 of the European Court of Human Rights in case Anchugov and Gladkov v. Russia, No. 11157/04 and 15162/05. Available: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22appno%22:[%2211157/04%22],%22documentcollectionid2%22:[%22GRANDCHAMBER%22,%22CHAMBER%22],%22itemid%22:[%22001-122260%22]} [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Judgement of 31 July 2014 of the European Court of Human Rights in case Neftyanaya Kompaniya Yukos v Russia [GC], No 14902/04. Available: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22appno%22:[%2214902/04%22],%22documentcollectionid2%22:[%22GRANDCHAMBER%22,%22CHAMBER%22],%22itemid%22:[%22001-145730%22]} [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Judgement of 18 February 2009 of the European Court of Human Rights in case Andrejeva v. Latvia [GC], No. 55707/00. Available: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22appno%22:[%2255707/00%22],%22documentcollectionid2%22:[%22GRANDCHAMBER%22,%22CHAMBER%22],%22itemid%22:[%22001-91388%22]} [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Judgement of 14 September 2023 of the European Court of Human Rights in case Valiullina and others v. Latvia, No. 56928/19, 7306/20 and 11937/20. Available: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22appno%22:[%2256928/19%22],%22documentcollectionid2%22:[%22GRANDCHAMBER%22,%22CHAMBER%22],%22itemid%22:[%22001-226485%22]} [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Judgement of 16 November 2023 of the European Court of Human Rights in case Džibuti and Others v. Latvia, No. 225/20, 11642/20 and 21815/20. Available: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22docname%22:[%22D%C5%BDIBUTI%20AND%20OTHERS%22],%22documentcollectionid2%22:[%22GRANDCHAMBER%22,%22CHAMBER%22],%22itemid%22:[%22001-228839%22]} [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Judgement of 16 February 2022 of the Court of Justice of the European Union in case Hungary v. Parliament and Council, No. C-156/21, para. 127. Available: https://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=254061&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=lst&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=9604709 [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Judgement of The Polish Constitutional Tribunal in case No. K 6/21 on 24 November 2021. Available: https://trybunal.gov.pl/en/hearings/judgments/art/11709-art-6-ust-1-zd-1-konwencji-o-ochronie-praw-czlowieka-i-podstawowych-wolnosci-w-zakresie-w-jakim-pojeciem-sad-obejmuje-trybunal-konstytucyjny [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Par Latvijas valsts konstitucionālajiem pamatiem un neaizskaramo Satversmes kodolu. Konstitucionālo tiesību komisijas 2012. gada 17.s eptembra viedoklis [On the Constitutional Foundations of the Latvian State and the Inviolable Core of the Satversme. Opinion of the Constitutional Law Commission on 17 September 2012]. In: Par Latvijas valsts konstitucionālajiem pamatiem un neaizskaramo Satversmes kodolu. Konstitucionālo tiesību komisijas viedoklis un materiāli [On the Constitutional Foundations of the Latvian State and the Inviolable Core of the Satversme. Opinion and Materials of the Constitutional Law Commission]. Rīga: Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2012, pp. 27–155.

Information about the case No. 2022-45-01. Available: https://www.satv.tiesa.gov.lv/cases/?search[number]=2022-45-01 [last viewed 06.06.2024].

Downloads

Published

2024-10-27

How to Cite

Constitutional Identity Between Riga and Strasbourg: The Courts’ Dialogue Developing Latvian Constitutional Law. (2024). Journal of the University of Latvia. Law, 17, 193-208. https://doi.org/10.22364/jull.17.12