Seven Latvian MPs won't take part in next Saeima election

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A total seven currently serving MPs won't take part in the 13th Saeima election slated for October 6, reported Latvian Radio.

They say they won't participate for personal reasons, among them noted MP Lolita Čigāne.

"The main reason is that I've been in Saeima for a long time now, or eight years. Secondly, my party preference has been tempestuous for the last couple of years. It's reason enough to take a pause," said Čigāne, who left Unity to found the Movement For! but then left it again.

National Alliance MPs Gaidis Bērziņš and Einārs Cilinskis have also spent eight years at the parliament. They will continue at the party but won't try to make it into the parliament this election. 

"Everyone gets used to this work. This habit turns into routine. And it should be overcome," said Cilinskis.

Independent Ilmārs Latkovskis meanwhile said he doesn't see a party with which he could work with and that he wants to take an outside look at politics away from the Saeima. 

Dzintars Zaķis (Unity) has worked in the last five convocations of the Latvian parliament, totaling to 16 years. Despite the fact his name cropped up in vote buying scandals, he said he's tired of acting in parliament, instead of being worried whether his political fortunes might have come to an end. 

National Alliance member Andris Buiķis will also abstain from the next election, as will Askolds Kļaviņš (Greens and Farmers Union) who is being investigated over possible abuse of office. 

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