Latvian parliament backs move to shift MPs’ expense rules

Latvia’s parliament has backed moving rules on lawmakers’ expense compensation from its Rules of Procedure into a separate remuneration law, LSM reported. The Saeima approved the amendments in their first reading on Thursday, October 15, and declared them urgent. The changes do not alter compensation amounts or eligibility conditions.

The current rules will remain in force until new regulations are adopted. The amendments would place the rules in the Law on Remuneration of Officials and Employees of State and Local Government Institutions, which also sets MPs’ salaries. Saeima Legal Affairs Committee chair Andrejs Judins of New Unity said compensation is a remuneration issue, while the Rules of Procedure governs the organisation of parliament’s work.

Lawmakers have not agreed on whether or how to change the compensation system. Judins said he believes payments should no longer be calculated according to the distance between an MP’s home and parliament, while ensuring that MPs elected in the regions can do their work without facing disproportionately higher expenses. One possible approach would be to raise the salaries of MPs who live in the regions, but no specific proposal has been prepared.

Work on amendments to the remuneration law has begun, but the next Saeima is likely to have to develop and adopt a solution. MPs remain divided over the options.