Popular Vote of 3 March 1991 on Independece of Latvia: Prehistory and Results

Abstract

In the dynamic political conditions of 1991, Latvia and the two other Baltic states held popular votes on independence from the USSR. These votes were determined by many, predominantly external circumstances. Voting took place on 9 February in Lithuania, and 3 March in Latvia and Estonia. The article analyzes the idea of popular vote in Latvia, its development and the situation affecting it, and briefly chararcterises the domestic political situation in the country. Significant attention has been paid to Latvia’s external situation in the context of the Baltic states, the political situation of the Soviet Union and relations with Western countries. The popular vote confirmed the broad support of the independence efforts among the voters of the Baltic states and strengthened the position of the Baltic states in relations with Moscow and the international community.