Latvian coalition backs immigration plan after resolving disputes

Latvia’s governing coalition has resolved its differences over an immigration restriction plan and aims to approve it within two weeks, LSM reported. The coalition parties discussed the disputed proposals at a special meeting on Friday and said afterwards that the talks had been calm and the disagreements had been settled.

The Interior Ministry’s plan contains more than 70 measures to restrict immigration, including quotas for citizens of third countries.

The plan’s substance was not significantly changed at the meeting. The coalition mainly clarified the division of responsibilities among ministries, the document’s legal form and the potential impact of individual measures on the state budget and the work of institutions.

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs of the United List said the coalition had needed to establish whether objections from institutions were justified and ensure that the plan did not create unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles. He said it was important to agree on a legally sound way to advance the plan and avoid creating an undesirable precedent for future decisions.

Kulbergs said the priority was to prepare a high-quality, practical document that would help reduce illegal migration. He also noted that the plan affected not only the Interior Ministry but also the ministries of foreign affairs, economics, justice and finance.

Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava of the National Alliance welcomed the coalition’s support for advancing the plan, according to LSM.