Latvia's right to self-determination was implemented in April 1920, when the people of Latvia gave their mandate to the Constituent Assembly chosen by universal, equal, direct and proportional elections. In 1922, the Assembly adopted the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, which is still in effect to this day (www.eunet). The ultimatum of June 1940, from the Stalinist government of the USSR to the Latvian Government asking for its resignation, resulted in the occupation of Latvia and liquidation of its statehood. .
The elections in July 1940 to the Parliament of occupied Latvia were held under conditions of political terror after an illegal and unconstitutional election law had been adopted. Of the 17 lists of candidates submitted, only one was permitted in the elections and results of the elections were falsified (Edvins, 247). Consequently, the results did not represent the will of the Latvian people; specifically no referendum was held. According to international law, the incorporation of Latvia into the Soviet Union is invalid (www.eunet). In turn, the Republic of Latvia continues to exist to date as a subject of international law and is recognized as such by more than 50 nations of the world (http://lgi.osi.hu). .
Local council elections held in December 1989 were the first democratic elections in the post-war period. The elections were competitive, with more than one candidate running for each post, and the vote was a simple majority. Until 1992 the development of democracy at local and regional level was much faster than at national level (http://lgi.osi.hu).
CATALYSTS OF DEMOCRACY.
In Latvia mobilization in the form of demonstrations, petitions, elections, and resistance to repression played a pivotal role in the forging of a civic and national community that in turn became the became the basis for the restoration of statehood. An interactive process was triggered in which the old regime was increasingly delegitimized and new structures emerged instead.