In 2011, on 28 May, President Valdis Zatlers did what no Latvian president had done since the adoption of the Satversme – by Order No. 2, relying on Article 48 of the Constitution, he initiated the dissolution of the 10th Saeima. In a live televised address, he linked the step to oligarchic influence in politics. Later, on 23 July, 94.3% of referendum participants supported dissolving the Saeima, and the 10th Saeima was dissolved.

Article 48 of the Satversme gives the president only the right to initiate the process – the final decision is made by voters in a referendum. Zatlers’ move became a major turning point after the economic crisis and a shock to political trust, as a parliamentary mandate was tested for the first time through this constitutional procedure.