RIGA - The president of Latvia said on Saturday said he would call a referendum on dissolving parliament after the legislature last week blocked prosecutors from searching the home of a lawmaker in a corruption probe.
President Valdis Zatlers made the announcement in a live television address. Under the constitution, his decision means a referendum must be held. If people back the decision to dissolve parliament, new parliamentary elections are held. If he loses the vote, he must leave office.
His decision came after parliament, which was only elected last October, refused to permit a police search of properties belonging to a prominent member of parliament, who is also a well known businessman.
