Latvian European Union membership referendum, 2003

On September 20, 2003, a referendum on the accession to the European Union was held in Latvia. With a majority of 66.97 %, the voters approved the planned accession to the European Union ( EU). The turnout was 71.5 %. On 1 May 2004 Latvia joined in the context of EU enlargement officially joined the EU.

Prehistory

Since the declaration of independence of the Baltic republics and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Latvian policy aimed at closer integration with Central and Western Europe. Years of negotiations that eventually led to the European Council at the EU summit in Copenhagen Latvia officially invited to join the European Union. On 15 May 2003, the Saeima, a law on the holding of a referendum on the question of accession decided. As a minimum condition for the validity of the referendum was stipulated that at least 50 % of the turnout should be made at the last Saeima election, specifically that involved at least 497 543 voters in mind. The date for the referendum was set at 20 September 2003. Before the referendum in Latvia ( 10 to 11 May 2003) and Estonia (September 14 ) found similar referendums held in Lithuania, which showed a significant agreement on the planned EU accession.

Results

The following table shows the results of the referendum by the 26 districts ( rajons ) and 7 cities. Latvian citizens abroad were also eligible to vote.

As a result, the question of the referendum by a two -thirds majority was, answered 'Yes.' The specified as the minimum turnout was achieved, and the result was valid. However, there were noticeable differences between the Latvian regions. The agreement was in Central Livonia ( Vidzeme ), and in Courland ( Kurzeme ) the highest, but significantly lower in Semgallen ( Zemgale ) and lowest in the eastern Latgale ( Latgale ) where the majority of voters negatively answered the question of the referendum.