The
Constitution of Latvia is the fundamental law of the
Republic of Latvia. Satversme is the oldest Eastern or Central European constitution still in force and the sixth oldest still-functioning republican basic law in the world. It was adopted by, as it states itself, the people of Latvia, in a freely elected
Constitutional Assembly, on 15 February 1922 and came into force on 7 November 1922. It was influenced by ideas of the
Weimar Constitution and
Swiss Federal Constitution. Although the initial
bill consisted of two parts, the second part—which regulated citizens' rights and obligations—was voted down; a chapter on fundamental human rights was added only by amendment in 1998.