Saeima to Replace Deputy Compensation System with New Law

Latvian lawmakers are advancing urgent legislative amendments to overhaul the parliamentary expense compensation system, moving to replace internal regulations with a distinct statute governing state and municipal salaries and allowances.

Under the proposed changes, the current provisions governing parliamentary compensation are planned to be excluded from the regulations of the Saeima. Instead, the procedure for expense reimbursements will be regulated by a law on the remuneration of officials and employees of state and municipal institutions. Supporters of the measure indicate that the primary goal is to establish a simpler mechanism for reimbursing expenses incurred by deputies, with a particular focus on lawmakers who live far away from Riga.

Systemic Flaws Drive Legislative Overhaul

Proponents of the legislative overhaul argue that the existing framework is overly bureaucratic and generates unnecessary administrative burdens. Officials noted that the previous system has been misused in certain cases.

The Bureau for Prevention and Combating Corruption has previously highlighted that current regulations contain shortcomings capable of creating opportunities for system misuse. The need to reform parliamentary compensation gained particular urgency following public revelations regarding residential rental payments made to deputy Leila Rasima of the Progressives party.

Bureau Investigates Rasima as Lawmakers Expedite Law

The legitimacy of the housing compensation paid to Rasima is currently under active investigation by the Bureau for Prevention and Combating Corruption.

The amendments to the Saeima regulations have already been supported by deputies during the first reading and are being processed on an expedited timeline as lawmakers work to dismantle the disputed compensation provisions in favor of a separate, unified law.