The decision comes after regular checks on the backgrounds and declarations of all candidates performed under the authority of the Interior Ministry.
Four candidates are subject to restriction on the basis of their criminal records and three on the basis of medical grounds that include a psychiatric condition that may have deprived the candidate of full understanding of his or her actions.
The seven suspenions apply to:
- Katrīna Brandala (Progressives);
- Edgars Krūmiņš (Latvia's Regional Alliance);
- Zigfrīds Laicāns (For an alternative);
- Aivars Silinieks (Latvia's central party);
- Valdis Taupmanis (For an alternative);
- Aivars Zablockis (Action party);
- Nikolajs Žeļezņakovs (Action party).
In addition, there is the possibility of further exclusions on other grounds with a decision on one more candidate, Jevgēnijs Sadovskis (For Latvia from the heart party) pending further investigation.
None of those named are leading candidates in the elections.
But the main decision on a controversial candidate remains to be made.
Former MEP Tatjana Ždanoka is awaiting a court ruling on whether she can run for the Russian nationalist Latvia's Russian Union party.
All candidates must make a declaration upon submission of their candidacy that they did not collaborate with the KGB and occupation authorities, or declare the nature of such collaboration if it did happen.
Four candidates were named as suspected KGB agents who had not made such a declaration: Romualds Maculevičs (For Latvia from the heart), Artūrs Malta (For an alternative), Juris Strušels (LSDSP/KDS/GKL) and Arvīds Ulme (Greens and Farmers Union), though the CVK said this omission does not preclude them from participating in the elections.
The CVK added that all candidates on the lists were indeed Latvian citizens and of 21 years of age or more, as required by election law.
