Experts urge audit of Latvia’s parliament spending

Latvia’s parliament, the Saeima, has planned spending of more than 40 million euros this year, prompting calls for its finances to be reviewed by the State Audit Office, LSM reports.

The Saeima’s budget has grown substantially over the past decade, from just under 24 million euros in 2016 to more than 40 million euros this year. It is expected to increase by several million euros over the next two years.

The parliament does not spend all the funding allocated to it, with actual expenditure regularly falling below the approved budget. Its costs include salaries for members of parliament and employees, the institution’s daily operations, building maintenance, transport, business trips and other expenses.

The Saeima publishes annual reports showing its approved budget and actual spending. However, the figures are generally presented in broad categories without detailed explanations of how the money was used.

The Saeima is financially independent and remains the only state institution in Latvia that is not audited by the State Audit Office. The possibility of changing this has been discussed for years, but has not received political support.

Experts interviewed by Latvian Radio said the parliament should review the usefulness of its spending more carefully and explain more clearly to the public how its funds are used. They said external oversight would allow the Saeima’s spending to be assessed by the same standard as that of other state institutions and could increase public trust.

The State Audit Office has maintained a neutral position on the issue while pointing to the ability of institutions themselves to evaluate their spending. Experts rejected the argument that audits of the Saeima by the State Audit Office would create a conflict of interest.