Latvian parties split over penalties for unpaid child support

Latvia’s political parties and alliances have offered differing views on penalties for people who fail to pay child support, LSM reported.

Several electoral lists said the focus should be on effectively recovering unpaid support, while tougher prison sentences should be used as a last resort for deliberate non-payers. This position was expressed by the New Conservative Party, the Union of Greens and Farmers, New Unity, the National Alliance and the United List.

Other parties said Latvia needs a more effective system for recovering debts instead of allowing people to hide in the shadow economy. They included We Change the Rules, Rising Sun for Latvia, Progressives, For Latvia’s Development, Stability! and the Gobzems List.

Sovereign Power proposed greater support for single parents. Harmony Centre supported a progressive system of administrative penalties, while Latvia First backed tougher penalties but not prison sentences.