The Saeima¹ has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following law:

Law on Political Parties

Chapter I
General Provisions

Section 1. Purpose of the Law

The purpose of this Law is to ensure the legal basis for the activities of political parties (hereinafter - party) and the alliances thereof, to promote the internal democracy of parties and the alliances thereof and the strengthening of a democratic and civic society.

Section 2. Concept of Parties and Party Alliances

(1) A party is an organisation that is established in order to perform political activities, to participate in election campaigns, to nominate candidates for deputy positions, to participate in the work of the Saeima, local government councils (parish councils) or the European Parliament, to implement the party programme with the intermediation of deputies, as well as to be involved in the establishment of public administrative bodies.

(2) In order to mutually co-ordinate activities and achieve the objectives specified in the articles of association, several parties, according to the procedures specified by this Law, may establish a party alliance on the basis of an aggregate of objectives. A party may concurrently only be in one registered party alliance. The provisions of this Law regarding parties shall be applicable to party alliances, insofar as it does not determine otherwise.

(3) Parties shall carry out political activities and create their internal organisation in accordance with the principle of democracy, openness and member equality.

[31 October 2013]

Section 3. Legal Status of a Party

A party shall acquire the status of a legal person with its entering into the Register of Political Parties (hereinafter - Party Register).

Section 4. Delimitation of a Party's Liability

(1) A party shall be liable to the extent of all the property of the party.

(2) A party shall not be responsible for the liabilities of a member. A member shall not be responsible for the liabilities of a party.

(3) If the Law does not specify otherwise, a party alliance shall not be responsible for the liabilities of the forming parties thereof and the forming parties of a party alliance shall not be responsible for the liabilities of the party alliance.

Section 5. Legal Address of a Party

(1) The legal address of a party is the address indicated in the Party Register.

(2) If documents, information or other correspondence is sent to a party to the legal address indicated in the Party Register, it shall be considered that the party has received these documents, information or other correspondence within seven days from sending thereof, if the sender can prove that he or she has sent the relevant correspondence.

Section 6. Name and Logo of a Party

(1) The name, abbreviated name or logo of a party shall be unequivocally different from the name, abbreviated name or logo of a party or party alliance previously registered in Latvia (regardless of continued activities), as well as the name of a association or foundation. Use of the name, abbreviated name or logo of a previously registered party shall be allowed in cases when parties upon reorganisation are united or reformed as an association. The name of a party shall be created according to the requirements of the official language.

(2) The name, abbreviated name or logo of a party alliance may include the name, abbreviated name or logo of the forming parties thereof.

(3) If, upon reorganisation, all the parties within a party alliance unite and establish one party, it may take over the name, abbreviated name and logo of the relevant party alliance or use one or several of the referred to elements.

(4) Names, abbreviated names and logos of parties are prohibited, which:

1) are in conflict with regulatory enactments and good morals. The name shall not contain the name of a military body or the name of such organisations or groups that have been recognised as criminal or anti-constitutional, it shall not create a positive attitude towards violence;

2) coincide with the name, abbreviated name or logo of such organisation whose aim or activities are aimed against the independence, sovereignty or security of Latvia, or that copies the name, abbreviated name or logo of such organisation.

(5) Only letters of the Latvian alphabet shall be used in the name of a party.

(6) Misleading information regarding the purpose of activities, type of activities and legal form of the party shall not be included in the name of a party.

(7) The words "Republic of Latvia", the names of State and local government institutions, as well as the words "State" or "local government" shall not be included in the name of a party. The logo of a party shall not coincide with the logo of the State, local governments or institutions thereof.

(8) A party, the rights of which have been infringed through illegal use of the name, abbreviated name or logo thereof, may demand from the infringer that he or she ceases using the relevant name, abbreviated name or logo and reimburses losses (damages) incurred to the party through the illegal use of the name, abbreviated name or logo thereof.

Section 7. Public Activities of a Party

(1) In order to achieve the objective specified in the articles of association, a party has the right to perform public activities that are not in conflict with regulatory enactments.

(2) For this purpose, a party may:

1) freely distribute information regarding the activities thereof;

2) create publications and other mass media;

3) organise meetings, street processions and pickets;

4) maintain communication with other national political parties;

5) perform measures that are associated with pre-election campaigns;

6) perform other public activities.

(3) Parties are prohibited from performing State administrative functions and tasks.

Section 8. Economic Activities of a Party

(1) In order to achieve the objectives specified in the articles of association, a party is entitled to perform open economic activities on its own behalf, which do not have the nature or purpose of profit making.

(2) The income of a party may be used for achieving the objective specified in the articles of association thereof. Income that is acquired as a result of the activities performed by a party shall not be divided among the members or founders of the party.

(3) A party shall refrain from actions that in an overt or covert manner are aimed against the openness of the financial activities of a party and the financing restrictions of parties specified in regulatory enactments.

Section 9. Prohibition against Establishing Armed or Militarised Units

Parties are prohibited from arming the members thereof or other persons, organising military training and establishing militarised units.

Section 10. Transparency of Party Activities

(1) Any party member may participate at the institutional meetings of the relevant party, if the articles of association do not specify otherwise.

(2) Journalists of the mass media may be present at meetings of the highest decision-making bodies (meetings of members or meetings of representatives) of a party.

(3) Party members and journalists of the mass media may familiarise themselves with the decisions taken by the party, the bodies and officials thereof.

Section 11. Party Financing

A special law shall regulate the financing rules of parties.

Chapter II
Founding of Parties and Party Alliances

Section 12. Founders

(1) Party founders may be citizens of Latvia who have reached 18 years of age.

(2) The number of founders shall not be less than 200.

(3) A party alliance may be founded by two or more parties registered according to the procedures prescribed by law. The party alliance is prohibited from founding another party alliance.

Section 13. Decision Regarding Founding of a Party

(1) In order to found a party, persons who join in a party shall take a decision at the meeting of founders regarding the founding of the party, shall approve the programme and articles of association of the party, elect an executive board and an audit institution for economic and financial activities.

(1¹) The course of the meeting of founders shall be confirmed by a sworn notary in accordance with the procedures laid down in the Notariate Law. When confirming the course of the meeting, a sworn notary shall indicate the following in the minutes in addition to the information laid down in the Notariate Law:

1) the persons who have participated in the meeting of founders and the given name, surname, personal identity number (if none - the year, month, day, and place of birth), and citizenship of each person in conformity with the passport or identity card presented by the person;

2) the decision of the meeting of founders on founding of the party;

3) the number of persons who have voted for founding of the party;

4) other decisions taken in the meeting of founders.

(2) The following shall be indicated in the decision to found a party which is included in the minutes of the course of the meeting of founders:

1) the name of the party;

2) the objectives of the party activities;

3) the rights and duties of the founders, if the founders are in agreement thereof;

4) the authorisation of all the founders for at least two of the founders to sign the articles of association and the application to the Party Register authority;

5) other information that the founders deem necessary.

(3) In the decision regarding the founding of a party alliance, the information referred to in Paragraph two, Clauses 1, 2, 3 and 5 of this Section shall be indicated.

(4) [31 October 2013]

[31 October 2013]

Section 14. Articles of Association of a Party

(1) The articles of association of a party shall be prepared in written form.

(2) The articles of association of a party shall indicate the following:

1) the name of the party and the abbreviation thereof;

2) the logo of the party (a description or image thereof), if any;

3) the purpose of the activities of the party, the tasks and methods thereof;

4) the term of activities of the party, if the party has been established on a temporary basis;

5) the preconditions and procedures for joining or withdrawal of membership and exclusion of members;

6) the procedures for paying the membership fees and joining fees;

7) the rights and duties of members;

8) the procedures by which territorial and other divisions of the party may be created, as well as the rights and duties thereof;

9) the procedures for convening of the meeting of members, decision-making and representation, and also the procedures by which a member may request the inclusion of the issue in the agenda of the meeting of the members of the party;

10) the term of activities of the executive board and the quantitative structure of the executive board, determining the rights of executive board members to represent the party individually or collectively, the rights and duties of the Chairperson of the Executive Board;

11) the structure, procedures for election, competence, procedures for taking of decisions and terms of office of an audit institution for economic and financial activities, as well as the procedures for the appointing and terms of office of a sworn auditor.

12) the procedures by which amendments are made to the articles of association and the programme of a party thereof;

13) the disciplinary measures applicable to members (if such are provided for), the preconditions and procedures for application thereof;

14) the procedures by which deputy candidates for the elections to the Saeima, local government councils (parish councils) and the European Parliament are nominated and approved;

15) the date of approval of the articles of association.

(3) The articles of association of a party alliance shall indicate the following:

1) the information referred to in Paragraph two, Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15 of this Section;

2) the parties forming the alliance and the reciprocal rights and duties thereof;

3) the procedures by which parties join a party alliance and withdraw thereof, the preconditions for the joining and withdrawal thereof.

(4) The articles of association of a party may provide for other provisions that are not in conflict with the law. If provisions of the articles of association are in conflict with the law, the provisions of the law shall be applicable.

(5) The articles of association of a party shall be signed by at least two of the authorised representatives from among the founders. The articles of association of a party alliance shall be signed by at least one authorised representative of the founder parties within the alliance. A document that approves the authorisation of the relevant persons shall be submitted to the Party Register authority.

[3 March 2016]

Chapter III
Party Registration

Section 15. Party Register

(1) Information regarding parties shall be entered into the Party Register.

(2) The Party Register shall be established and maintained by the Party Register authority.

Section 16. Application Regarding the Entering of a Party into the Register

(1) Within three months after taking of a decision regarding the founding of a party (party alliance) the authorised representatives of the founders of the party (the parties forming the party alliance) shall submit an application to the Party Register authority. The information specified in Section 18, Paragraph one, Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this Law shall be indicated in the application. The information specified in Section 18, Paragraph one, Clause 4 of this Law shall not be indicated in the application for entering of a party alliance into the Party Register.

(2) The following shall be attached to an application for entering of a party into the Party Register:

1) [31 October 2013];

2) the programme of the party;

3) a list of not less than 200 party founders in which the name of the party is indicated and the signature of the respective founder certified by a sworn notary according to the procedures laid down in the Notariate Law is indicated next to the given name, surname, personal identity number and indication on citizenship of each founder. When certifying the signature, a sworn notary shall verify also the capacity to act of each founder;

4) the articles of association of the party;

5) a written consent of each member of the executive board to be a member of the executive board;

6) the document which confirms the payment for the publication in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis;

7) the minutes of the course of the meeting of founders of the party referred to in Section 13, Paragraph 1.¹ of this Law.

(3) The following shall be attached to an application for entering of a party alliance into the Party Register:

1) the documents referred to in Paragraph two, Clauses 2, 4, 5 and 6 of this Section;

2) the decision of the meeting of members of each party forming the party alliance regarding the participation of the party in the founding of the party alliance;

3) the decision of the party meeting regarding the founding of the party alliance.

(4) The application shall be signed by at least two of the authorised representatives from among the founders. At least one authorised representative from each founder party within the party alliance shall sign the application for entering of the party alliance into the Party Register. A document that approves the authorisation of the relevant persons shall be submitted to the Party Register authority.

[31 October 2013; 23 January 2014; 23 March 2017]

Section 17. Transparency of the Party Register

(1) Everyone has the right to familiarise themselves with the entries in the Party Register and the documents submitted to the Party Register authority.

(2) Everyone has the right to receive for a charge a statement from the Party Register, as well as an extract or copy of the document present in the Party Register file (including information submitted on party founders), upon submission of an appropriate request in writing. Upon the request of a recipient the accuracy of the extract or copy shall be approved by the signature and stamp of an official of the Party Register authority, indicating the date of issue thereof.

(3) An official of the Party Register authority shall issue a statement upon the request of a recipient that no amendments have been made to the entry of the Party Register, or that a certain entry has not been made in the Party Register.

[6 November 2013]

Section 18. Party Register Information

(1) The following shall be indicated in the Party Register:

1) the name of the party;

2) the legal address of the party;

3) the objectives of the party activities;

4) the name and address of the territorial divisions of the party, if any;

5) the date on which the decision regarding the founding of the party was taken;

6) the given name, surname and personal identity number of the members of the executive board, indicating whether they have the right to represent the party individually or collectively;

7) the term of duration of the party, if the party has been established on a temporary basis;

8) information regarding the prohibition of public activities or other activities or the suspension, termination or continuation of activities of the party, the insolvency, liquidation or reorganisation of the party;

9) information regarding the appointment of a liquidator, indicating his or her given name, surname and personal identity number;

10) information regarding the appointment of an administrator in an insolvency case, indicating the given name, surname and personal identity number of the administrator;

11) date of the making of the entry;

12) other information, if provided for by law.

(2) The information indicated in Paragraph one, Clauses 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10 of this Section, except for the personal identity number, and changes therein shall be published in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis using funds of the party. The procedures for publication, the amount of payment and the procedures for collection thereof shall be determined by the Cabinet.

[23 January 2014; 23 March 2017]

Section 19. Documents to be Submitted to the Party Register Authority and Storage Thereof

(1) The documents justifying the making of an entry in the Party Register and any amendments thereto, as well as other documents specified by law shall be submitted to the Party Register authority. The original of the relevant document, a notarially certified copy or a copy thereof, shall be submitted to the Party Register authority, presenting the original of the document. Public documents issued in foreign states shall be validated according to the procedures provided for in international agreements binding to Latvia and they shall be accompanied by a notarially certified translation into Latvian..

(2) Upon notification of amendments to the articles of association to the Party Register authority, an extract of the minutes of the meeting of members shall be attached with the decision regarding the amendments to the articles of association and the complete text of the articles of association in the new wording.

(2¹) When applying changes in the composition of the executive board, the application shall be appended by the extract from the minutes of the meeting of members with the decision to elect a member of the executive board or removal thereof, and written consent of each member of the executive board to be a member of the executive board.

(3) [31 October 2013]

(4) The documents specified in Paragraph one of this Section shall be stored in the relevant party registration file.

[31 October 2013; 23 March 2017]

Section 20. Making of Entries in the Party Register

(1) An entry in the Party Register shall be made based on the application of the relevant party or court adjudication.

(1¹) For making an entry or document registration (adding to the file) in the Party Register, an application shall be submitted where the following information shall be indicated in conformity with the nature of the application:

1) in the application for entering the changes in the Party Register or document registration (adding to the file) - information on the essence of changes and new information which is applied for entering in the Party Register on a party (association of parties);

2) in the application for the reorganisation of the party - the type of reorganisation (if the party is reorganised through division, the type of division shall also be indicated), the name and registration number of each party involved in the reorganisation by indicating whether the party is merging, divisible or receiving party according to the type of reorganisation, and the name of the newly established party (if any);

3) in the application for the transformation of the party into an association - the essence of the applied entry and the name of the newly established association;

4) in the application for the termination of activities of the party - the information referred to in Section 18, Paragraph one, Clause 9 of this Law;

5) in the application for continuation of the activities of a party - the essence of the applied entry and information referred to in Section 18, Paragraph one, Clause 6 of this Law;

6) in the application for the liquidation of a party - the essence of the applied entry.

(1²) The application for continuation of the activities of a party (association of parties) shall be appended by the extract from the minutes of the meeting of members with the decision on the continuation of the activities of a party (association of parties) and election of the members of the executive board.

(2) A decision regarding the making of an entry in the Party Register, the refusal to make an entry or the postponing of the making of an entry shall be taken by an official of the Party Register authority within seven working days after receipt of an application. Within the same period of time, the official of the Party Register authority shall take a decision regarding the making of an entry in the Party Register, based on the court adjudication.

(3) An official of the Party Register authority shall take a decision regarding the postponing of the making of an entry if:

1) all of the documents specified in the law have not been submitted;

2) the documents, on the basis of which entries are made in the Party Register or which are registered (are attached to the file), do not have legal effect or do not comply with other requirements for drawing up documents specified by regulatory enactments;

3) the amount and content of information and provisions do not comply with regulatory documents and other documents present in the registration file;

4) upon inspection of that specified in Section 6 of this Law, it is discovered that the name of the party, the abbreviated name or logo thereof does not unequivocally differ from the name, abbreviated name or logo of a party or party alliance previously registered in Latvia, or it concurs with the name of an association or foundation, or is misleading regarding its association with State or local government institutions;

5) another judicial obstacle is registered in the Party Register.

(4) An official of the Party Register authority shall take a decision regarding the refusal of the making of an entry in the Party Register if:

1) the objective specified in the articles of association of the party is in conflict with the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia, laws or international agreements binding to Latvia;

2) the procedures for founding a party specified in the law have been infringed;

3) after taking of a decision regarding the postponing of the making of an entry, the deficiencies indicated in this decision have not been eliminated within the term specified;

4) the persons indicated in the list of party founders on which the signature of the respective founder has been certified in accordance with the laid down procedures and which in accordance with Section 16, Paragraph two, Clause 3 of this Law is appended to the application for entering of the party in the Register are not the same who have been indicated in the minutes of the course of the meeting of members referred to in Section 13, Paragraph 1.¹ of this Law.

(5) A decision regarding the refusal to make an entry in the Party Register or the postponing of the making of an entry thereof shall be substantiated. A reasonable period of time for the elimination of deficiencies shall be indicated in the decision regarding the postponing of the making of an entry.

(6) An official of the Party Register authority shall send the decision specified in Paragraph two of this Section to the applicant within five working days after taking of the decision.

(7) The applicant has the right to dispute and appeal the decision by an official of the Party Register authority according to the procedures of the regulatory enactments regulating administrative procedure.

(8) An entry in the Party Register shall be made on the same day when the decision is taken regarding the making of an entry.

[31 October 2013; 23 March 2017]

Section 21. Registration Certificate

(1) After entering of a party in the Party Register and receipt of a written request of the party, the Party Register authority shall issue a party registration certificate for a charge to the authorised representatives of the founders of the party which shall be signed and stamped by an official of the Party Register authority.

(2) The following information shall be indicated in the registration certificate of a party:

1) the name;

2) the type of organisation (party or party alliance);

3) registration number;

4) place of registration;

5) date of registration.

[23 January 2014]

Section 22. Exclusion of a Party from the Party Register

A party shall be excluded from the Party Register, on the basis of:

1) an application regarding the liquidation of the party;

2) an application by the administrator of the insolvent party;

3) an application regarding the reorganisation of the party;

4) a court ruling.

Section 23. State Duty and Charge for a Service

(1) The amount and the procedures for payment of the State duty to be paid for the making of an entry in the Party Register shall be determined by the Cabinet.

(2) The charge for a service laid down in the laws and regulations regarding the paid services provided by the Party Register authority shall be paid for the issuance of an extract from the Party Register and an extract or copy of a document in the registration file, as well as for the issuance of a statement.

(3) The State duty for making an entry in the Party Register may not exceed the administrative expenses which are related to taking a decision to register and to make the relevant entry.

[6 November 2013]

Section 24. Term for Submission of Information

Information, on the basis of which new entries are made in the Party Register, as well as the documents specified in this Law, shall be submitted to the Party Register authority within 14 days after taking of the respective decision, unless otherwise provided for in this Law.

Section 25. Liability for Submitting False Information

The respective persons shall be held liable, in accordance with the law, for the provision of false information to the Party Register authority.

Chapter IV
Party Members

Section 26. Party Members

(1) Persons who have reached the age of 18 years, who are citizens of Latvia, non-citizens of Latvia and citizens of the European Union, who are not citizens of Latvia but are residing in the Republic of Latvia, may be party members. A person may at any one time only be a member of one party.

(2) Persons who have reached the age of 16 years may be party member candidates.

(3) Only parties in which there are not less than 200 citizens of Latvia may operate in Latvia. In a party with more than 400 members, not less than half of all the members shall be citizens of Latvia.

(4) Members of a party alliance shall be members of the parties forming the alliance.

Section 27. Register of Party Members

(1) Parties (except party alliances) shall maintain a register of party members, in which they enter the given name, surname, personal identity number, citizenship and the address of the declared place of residence of party members.

(2) The initial entries in a register of party members shall be made not later than within seven days from the date of party registration.

(3) Subsequent entries in the register of party members shall be made not later than within seven days after receipt by the executive board of information regarding changes to the information specified in Paragraph one of this Section.

(4) An entry in the register of party members shall be made by a person authorised by the executive board of a party.

(4¹) Parties, except for the associations of parties, shall, each year by 1 March, submit a register of party members to the Party Register authority.

(5) Party members, as well as a sworn auditor and the institutions specified by law are entitled to familiarise themselves with the register of party members.

(6) The given name and surname of party members shall be generally accessible information, and anyone may become familiarised with it.

[31 October 2013]

Section 28. Membership of a Member in a Party

(1) The executive board of a party shall take a decision regarding the admission of a member into the party if a different procedure is not provided for in the articles of association.

(2) If the executive board of a party or other body, except for the meeting of members, within the competence of which is the admission of members, takes a decision regarding the refusal to admit a member, the person wishing to become a member has the right to demand a review of the matter in accordance with the procedures prescribed in the articles of association.

(3) Liabilities for members shall be stipulated only in accordance with the procedures provided for in the articles of association.

(4) Membership of a member in a party shall not be transferable to a third person or inheritable. Membership of a member in a party shall terminate with the withdrawal or exclusion from a party, as well as upon the death of the member.

(5) If membership of a member in a party expires, the membership fee and joining fee paid and provided for in the articles of association shall not be reimbursed thereto. A member whose membership of the party has expired, does not have the right to party property. The party does not have the right to collect the non-paid membership fee and joining fee from a member.

Section 29. Rights and Obligations of Party Members

(1) Party members have the following rights:

1) to participate in the taking of party decisions according to the procedures specified in the articles of association;

2) to elect the executive board of the party and other bodies thereof;

3) to run for candidate at the elections for party officials according to the procedures specified by the articles of association;

4) to receive information regarding the activities of the party, as well as to freely express his or her opinion;

5) to dispute decisions taken by the party according to the procedures specified in the articles of association;

6) to withdraw from the party;

7) to decide regarding party candidates for election to local government, the Saeima and the European Parliament, according to the procedures specified by the articles of association.

(2) Party members have the following obligations:

1) to observe the articles of association of the party;

2) to participate in the work of the party;

3) to pay the membership fee, if such is specified.

(3) Other rights and obligations of members may be provided for in the articles of association of the party, which are not in conflict with this Law.

(4) Members of party alliances (Section 26, Paragraph four) have all the rights and obligations specified in Paragraph one, Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, as well as Paragraph two, Clauses 1 and 2 of this Section.

Section 30. Termination of the Membership of a Member

(1) Matters that are associated with the termination of the membership of a member in a party, shall be determined by the Associations and Foundations Law, if this Law does not prescribe a different procedure.

(2) A member has the right to request that a decision regarding the termination of the membership of the member in a party be reviewed at the meeting of members, unless different procedure is specified in the articles of association.

Section 31. Persons that May Participate in the Work of a Party

Persons who are not members of the relevant party may also participate in the work of the party: candidate members, honorary members, associate members, senior members and other persons with a special status whose rights and obligations are determined by the articles of association of the relevant party.

Chapter V
Organisational Structure of a Party

Section 32. Administrative Bodies of a Party

(1) The administrative bodies of a party shall be the meeting of members (general meeting) and the executive board.

(2) The articles of association may provide that the duties of the meeting of members are fulfilled by the meeting of representatives elected from the total number of members (congress, conference) in the amount specified in the articles of association. The representation norm, procedures for the nomination and election of representatives shall be determined by the executive board, unless otherwise specified in the articles of association. All party members have the right to participate in the election of representatives. The provisions of this Law relating to the meetings of members shall be applicable to the meetings of representatives, unless otherwise specified in this Law.

(3) Other administrative bodies may be provided for in the articles of association, determining the procedures for the establishment and the competence thereof.

Section 33. Meetings of Party Members

(1) A meeting of party members shall be the highest decision-making body of the party.

(2) A meeting of party members shall be convened not less than once per calendar year.

(3) Only the following shall be included within the competence of the meeting of party members:

1) the making of amendments to the articles of association and the party programme;

2) the election and recall of members of the executive board, audit institution and other bodies, unless other procedures are specified in the articles of association;

3) the taking of decisions regarding the termination, continuation or reorganisation of the activities of the party, unless otherwise specified in this Law;

4) the approval of the pre-election programme for elections to the Saeima and the European Parliament, unless a different procedure is specified in the articles of association;

5) the taking of a decision regarding the participation of the party in the founding of a party alliance. Upon taking of the decision regarding the participation in the founding of a party alliance, the meeting of members shall authorise one or more representatives on behalf of the party to perform the activities referred to in Sections 13, 14 and 16 of this Law for the founding of a party alliance and the entering into the Party Register thereof;

6) other matters that, in accordance with the law or articles of association, are within the competence of the meeting of members.

(4) The meeting of members of a party has the right to take such decisions that are within the competence of the executive board and other bodies provided for in the articles of association.

(5) The Associations and Foundations Law shall be applied to matters that are associated with the convening of the meeting of party members, the proceedings thereof, the taking of decisions and declaring decisions null and void.

Section 34. Executive Board of a Party

(1) The executive board shall be the executive body of a party that manages and represents the party.

(2) The executive board shall consist of at least three members of the executive board.

(3) The meeting of members shall elect the Chairperson of the executive board and the other members of the executive board. Members of the executive board shall be elected by secret ballot, unless different procedures are specified in the articles of association.

(4) A member of the executive board shall be elected into office for a period of time not longer than two years.

(5) A member of the executive board shall not simultaneously be a member of the audit institution for economic and financial activities of a party.

(6) A natural person of legal age may be a member of the executive board the capacity to act of which has not been restricted by the court.

(7) The Associations and Foundations Law shall be applied to matters that are associated with the competence of the executive board, rights of representation, the taking of decisions and remuneration and the covering of expenses.

[31 October 2013]

Section 35. Liability of the Members of the Executive Board of a Party and Other Bodies

(1) The executive board of a party shall be responsible for the activities of the party in accordance with the requirements of laws and other regulatory enactments, as well as for the fulfilment of the tasks of the party in accordance with the law, unless otherwise specified in the law.

(2) Members of the executive board and other bodies shall be jointly liable for any losses caused to a party due to the fault thereof.

(3) A party may bring an action against a member of the executive board or other body within five years from the day of the infringement of rights or from the day when the violation of rights became known.

Section 36. Divisions of a Party

(1)Parties (except party alliances) may have their own territorial or other organisationally independent divisions. Divisions of a party are not legal persons.

(2) A party shall create its territorial divisions so that members of the party could participate in the work of the party as close as possible to their place of residence. Each member of the party shall operate in one territorial division of the party.

(3) The territorial divisions of a party may unite in regional departments, the procedures for creation and the competence of which shall be determined by the articles of association of the party.

Section 37. Audit of a Reporting Year of a Party

If the turnover of the funds of a party has been more than 10 minimum monthly salaries in a reporting year, the sworn auditor shall examine the annual financial statement thereof. The report of the sworn auditor on the annual financial statement of the respective party shall be appended to the annual financial statement which the party, in accordance with the laws and regulations governing the party financing, shall submit to the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau. Within the meaning of this Section, the minimum monthly salary is the amount of the minimum monthly salary which was determined on the first day of the relevant reporting year.

[31 October 2013]

Chapter VI
Supervision, Suspension, Termination, Liquidation and Reorganisation of a Party

Section 38. Supervision and Control of Party Activities

(1) The activities of a party shall be supervised and controlled by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau, the State Revenue Service, the Party Register authority, as well as other authorities specified in the law.

(2) If the authorities referred to in Paragraph one of this Section determine that the party does not observe regulatory enactments or the activities of the party do not comply with the articles of association, they shall warn the party in writing and instruct the elimination of unlawful activities thereof.

(3) The time period specified for the elimination of violations shall be not less than 15 days and not more than six months.

Section 39. Suspension of Party Activities

(1) The court may suspend the activities of a party for up to six months, if the party:

1) upon receipt of a written warning has not eliminated the violations within the time limit specified in the warning;

2) within one calendar year has not convened the highest decision-making body - the meeting of members;

3) within six months after reduction of the number of members to 150 members has not renewed the number of members to the minimum number of members prescribed by the law;

4) has not transferred the unlawfully acquired financial resources to the State budget within the time period specified in the regulatory enactments regulating the financial activities of the party.

(2) An application to court may be submitted by the authorities referred to in Section 38, Paragraph one of this Law.

(3) Upon suspension of the activities of a party forming a party alliance, the court shall decide regarding the suspension of activities of the party alliance.

(4) After coming into lawful effect of the adjudication, the court shall send it to the Party Register authority. The Party Register authority shall publish the information in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis.

[23 January 2014]

Section 40. Consequences of the Suspension of Party Activities

If the court suspends the activities of a party, the party shall suspend public activities within the time period for ceasing activities specified in the adjudication of the court.

Section 41. Reasons for Termination of Party Activities

The activities of a party shall terminate:

1) with the decision of the meeting of party members regarding the termination of activities of the party;

2) upon commencement of the bankruptcy procedure of the party;

3) if the number of party members reduces and is less than 150 members or less than another number specified in the articles of association (Section 44);

4) upon the expiry of the time period specified in the articles of association of the party, if the party has been established on a temporary basis;

5) by a court ruling;

6) on other grounds specified in the articles of association.

Section 42. Termination of Activities of a Party by the Decision of the Meeting of Members

The decision of the meeting of members regarding the termination of the activities of a party shall be taken if two-thirds of the members present vote in favour thereof. The application for termination of the activities of a party (association of parties) shall be appended by an extract with the relevant decision from the minutes of the meeting of members.

[23 March 2017]

Section 43. Termination of Activities of a Party upon Commencing Bankruptcy Procedure

The procedures by which the activities of a party shall be terminated in the case of bankruptcy, shall be determined by the law that regulates the insolvency of associations and foundations.

Section 44. Termination of Activities of a Party by Decision of the Executive Board

(1) If the number of members has reduced and is less than 150 members or less than another number specified by the articles of association (that is not less than 150), as well as if the period of time specified in the articles of association for which the party was founded expires, a decision regarding the termination of activities shall be taken by the executive board of the party or another administrative body specified in other articles of association.

(2) The executive board of a party alliance shall take a decision regarding the termination of activities of the party alliance in the cases specified in Section 41, Clauses 4 and 6 of this Law, as well as in the case when the number of parties within the party alliance has reduced to one party.

(3) The application for termination of the activities of a party (association of parties) in conformity with the grounds for the termination of the activities shall be appended by an extract with the respective decision from the minutes of the course of the meeting of the authorities referred to in Paragraph one or two of this Section.

[23 March 2017]

Section 45. Termination of Activities of a Party by a Court Adjudication

(1) The activities of a party may be terminated on the basis of a court adjudication:

1) if the executive board of the party has not submitted an application regarding the termination of party activities in accordance with this Law;

2) if the party does not fulfil the court adjudication regarding the suspension of activities or does not eliminate a violation of the law, due to which its activity was terminated;

3) if the party, within one year after receipt of a warning, repeatedly commits a violation of the law;

4) in other cases laid down in the law.

(2) An application to court may be submitted by the authorities referred to in Section 38, Paragraph one of this Law.

(3) Upon the request of the applicant the court may prohibit the party from performing public activities or other activities until the adoption of the final adjudication in the matter. The decision may be appealed according to the procedures prescribed by law.

(4) A decision regarding the prohibition of public activities or other activities shall be sent by the court to the Party Register authority for the making of an entry in the Party Register.

(5) The court, upon taking a decision regarding the termination of party activities, shall determine:

1) the necessity for liquidation proceedings and the appointing of a liquidator;

2) the alienation of immovable property in favour of the State, unless otherwise specified in the law;

3) the resources and procedures by which the party documents shall be put in order and handed over for storage in the State archives.

(6) After coming into lawful effect of the adjudication, the court shall send it to the Party Register authority. The Party Register authority shall publish the information in the official gazette Latvijas Vēstnesis.

[23 January 2014]

Section 46. Liquidation of a Party

(1) In case of expiry of the activities of a party the liquidation thereof shall take place, unless otherwise specified in the law.

(2) The Associations and Foundations Law shall be applied to matters of party liquidation.

Section 47. Reorganisation of a Party

(1) A party may be reorganised, upon the merger of parties into one party or the division of the party, or by transforming the party into an association.

(2) Only parties shall participate in reorganisation, unless otherwise specified in this Law. Party alliances shall not participate in reorganisation.

(3) It may be provided for in the articles of association of a party that reorganisation is or is not allowed under certain preconditions.

(4) The Associations and Foundations Law shall be applied to matters of party reorganisation, unless otherwise specified in this Law.

(5) If a new party is established as a result of reorganisation, the application for reorganisation of a party shall be appended by the application on entering a new party in the Party Register.

[23 March 2017]

Section 48. Transformation of a Party into an Association

(1) In order for a party to be transformed into an association, the meeting of party members shall be convened according to the articles of association of the respective party. A decision regarding the transformation of the party into an association shall be taken at the meeting according to the procedures specified in the articles of association. The information to be indicated in the founding decision shall be included in the minutes of the meeting of members. The minutes of the meeting of members shall be drawn up according to the provisions specified in the Associations and Foundations Law for the recording of minutes of the meeting of members.

(2) Upon transformation of a party into an association, the provisions of the regulatory enactments regulating the founding of associations shall be observed.

(3) An application regarding the transformation of a party into an association shall be signed by the executive board. The abovementioned application shall be appended by the application for entering an association in the Register of Associations and Foundations and the minutes of the meeting of members indicated in Paragraph one of this Section.

(4) Upon the transformation of a party into an association, the name, the abbreviated name and logo of the relevant party may be maintained or one or several of the referred to elements may also be used.

(5) A newly established association shall indicate in the articles of association thereof that it is the successor of the rights and liabilities of a party.

[23 March 2017]

Section 49. Closing Financial Statement

(1) Upon commencement of liquidation, reorganisation or transformation of a party into an association, the party has a duty to submit to the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau a closing financial statement and a report of a sworn auditor on the financial and economic activities of the party in the year in which the relevant party is liquidated, reorganised or transformed into an association.

(2) The liquidator of the relevant party shall be liable for the fulfilment of the provisions of Paragraph one of this Section in the case of liquidation of the party, but if a liquidator is not appointed, - the executive board of the respective party.

[31 October 2013]

Transitional Provisions

[31 October 2013]

1. The procedures for the coming into force of this Law shall be prescribed by a special law.

[The numbering of Paragraph has been amended by the law of 31 October 2013]

2. Parties whose decision of the meeting of founders to found the party is taken until the day of coming into force of the relevant amendments to this Law shall be entered in the Party Register in accordance with the requirements of those laws and regulations which were in force on the day when the decision of the meeting of founders of the relevant party to found the party was taken.

[31 October 2013]

This Law shall come into force on 1 January 2007.

This Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 22 June 2006.

Acting for the President,
Chairperson of the Saeima I. Ūdre

Rīga, 7 July 2006

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¹ The Parliament of the Republic of Latvia

Translation © 2019 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)