Saeima
Following a series of votes in Saeima on Wednesday that repeatedly failed to install a new occupant of the Saeima's speaker's chair over several hours – but which did manage to unseat the existing Speaker, Edvards Smiltēns (United List) – the vacancy was finally filled by Daiga Mieriņa of the Greens and Farmers' Union (ZZS).
Edvards Smiltēns (United List) was voted out as Saeima speaker September 20, with Gunārs Kūtris (Greens and Farmers Union/ZZS) lined up to take over the important duties as part of the new coalition's reallocation of power – but then seeing his candidacy receive a mauling.
With the approval of the new government, the composition of the 14th Saeima is also changing as of September 20. Several former ministers have returned to work in Parliament, but the mandate of the Saeima deputy was lost by politicians approved for ministerial posts.
With the approval of the new government, changes can be expected not only at ministries but also in the composition of Saeima committees on different subjects, the Presidium which is responsible for governing the work of the the Saeima (parliament), and in the faces visible in the debating chamber itself.
A meeting of the Saeima's influential Foreign Affairs Committee on September 13 discussed proposals to cancel treaty agreements with Russia on legal assistance and legal relations in civil, family and criminal matters.
On Thursday, September 7, the Saeima supported amendments to the Immigration Law in the first reading, which provides for the possibility for Russian citizens living in Latvia to extend the time period for the Latvian language exam for the receipt of a permanent residence permit by two years. This would apply to those Russian citizens who have already tried to pass the test.
Only 14% of Latvian residents believe that this Saeima works better than the previous one, and this is the worst indicator in at least the last 20 years, according to survey data conducted by the research company SKDS in July, newswire LETA reported on August 23.
On July 9 and 10 the Speakers of the Parliaments of the Baltic States, Poland and Ukraine will be meeting in Rīga, Latvia, where political and practical assistance to Ukraine, including support on its path to the European Union and NATO, will be discussed ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius later in the week.
The Saeima opposition parties “Latvia First” and “For Stability!” with Ainārs Šlesers and Aleksejs Rosļikovs at the helm have joined forces to fight for the dissolution of parliament, Latvian Television reported on June 8.
On Tuesday, May 30, the State Administration and Local Government Commission of the Saeima conceptually supported amendments to the Law on State Administration, which provide for people employed in the civil service to be "loyal to the Republic of Latvia and its Constitution."
On May 3, President of the Riigikogu (Parliament of Estonia) Lauri Hussar is on an official visit to Latvia to discuss the cooperation between the two countries, the security of the region and helping Ukraine.
The 14th Saeima does not show much support for the ratification of the Istanbul Convention. Only two of the seven factions – New Unity and Progressives – express clear support for its approval, Latvian Radio reported on April 25.
Saeima deputy Glorija Grevcova, who this week was found guilty of lying to the Central Election Commission (CVK) about her past, has left the "For Stability!" party and its Saeima faction, she has announced.
The parliamentary debate for the final reading of Latvia's 2023 budget turned into a test of physical and mental endurance after lengthy deliberations among Saeima deputies occupied the hours usually belonging to pillows and duvets.
On March 2, the Saeima conceptually supported the amendments tabled by the National Alliance (NA), the United List (AS), New Unity (JV) and members of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) to the Law on Pre-Election Agitation, which stipulates that pre-election campaigns should be conducted in the official state language, Latvian, LETA reported.
On Thursday, February 23, the Saeima decided to exclude Glorija Grevcova (For Stability!) from participating in the next six sittings of the parliament, said the Saeima Press Service.
On Friday, February 17, the Saeima approved the draft law on the State Budget for 2023 and the Budget Framework for 2023, 2024 and 2025.
On Thursday, February 9, the Saeima rejected a collective initiative proposing a mandatory requirement of higher education for Saeima deputies, LETA reported.
On February 9, the Finance Minister Arvils Ašeradens (New Unity) delivered a portfolio with this year's draft state budget to the Saeima, as is traditional.
On the initiative of the Baltic states, the Chairs of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the Parliaments of 19 countries and the European Parliament on January 30 issued a joint statement in which they expressed support to the investigation of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, as well as advocated the establishment of a dedicated international tribunal for prosecuting the crime of aggression committed against Ukraine by Russia’s military invasion and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Saeima speaker Edvards Smiltēns was on a visit to the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on January 12, with more meetings taking place January 13.
On Thursday, December 12, the Saeima decided to agree to the criminal prosecution of 14th Saeima deputy Glorija Grevcova (For Stability!).
Preparations for the repair of the Saeima House, Jēkaba Street 11, are ongoing. This year it is planned to develop a reconstruction work project on temporary premises on Smilšu Street, where parliamentarians will work during the reconstruction of the Saeima House, Latvian Radio reported on January 8.
Members of the Saeima Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Commission decided unanimously on Wednesday, December 28, to ask the Saeima to agree to the continuation of the criminal proceedings against the deputy Glorija Grevcova (For Stability!).
In light of the current economic situation, the Saeima Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Commission agreed on Wednesday, December 21, to invite the Cabinet to reconsider the remuneration system for top officials of the country, the Parliament's Press Service said.
On Thursday, December 15, the Saeima approved the parliamentary mandate for 14 new members. This was necessary because their party members have been elected ministers in the new government of PM Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity).
The Saeima majority on Thursday rejected the society's initiative on the legal protection of all families, Latvian Radio reported. The initiative encouraged legally recognizing couples living outside the marriage union and ensuring their social protection.
On Thursday, December 1, the Saeima supported the draft legislation in the final reading with the intention of creating a Ministry of Climate and Energy in Latvia, as well as the appointments of deputy ministers, the Saeima Press Service said.
On Thursday, December 1, a majority of the Saeima rejected a declaration called by several members of the opposition on "Errors and exaggerations made by the Saeima and the government in combating the spread of Covid-19 infection".
On November 29, the majority of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee, before the final reading, again rejected amendments to the law which would provide for the creation of a new position of the Minister for Climate and Energy, LETA reported.
Most important
Most read
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.