Latvian parliament bars municipal councillors from Russia and Belarus

Latvia’s parliament has barred municipal councillors from travelling to Russia and Belarus, including crossing either country in transit. LSM reported that lawmakers approved the amendment to the law on Thursday, October 8.

Raimonds Bergmanis, chair of the parliamentary Defence Committee, said municipal councillors play an important role in civil protection and that the restriction was needed to reduce security risks. He said the risks were particularly high near the border, where border construction and defence issues are being addressed.

Before the amendment, the law already prohibited a range of people with national security roles from travelling to the two countries. They include people with access to state secrets, officials responsible for critical infrastructure security, members of the National Armed Forces, diplomats, court and prosecution staff, and members and employees of parliament.

In June 2025, parliament approved a separate ban covering certain public administration employees, as well as members and employees of parliament. The National Security Committee said Russia and Belarus were intensifying intelligence activities against Latvia and could use information from any Latvian citizen who crossed their borders.

LSM reported that travel to Russia and Belarus remains extremely dangerous and that Latvia has very limited ability to assist its citizens who get into difficulty there.