Latvia to pay at least 850,000 euros to outgoing MPs

Latvia will need at least 850,000 euros to compensate members of parliament who are not re-elected, according to initial estimates reported by LSM.

Under the law on remuneration for officials and employees of state and municipal institutions, an MP whose mandate ends with the parliament’s term and who is not elected to the next parliament receives a one-off payment equal to three months’ salary.

An MP’s base monthly salary is 4,330 euros, but the total compensation will vary because MPs earn different amounts depending on their positions. Some also receive additional pay for roles in the parliament’s Presidium, factions, committees and subcommittees.

Parliament’s press service said the final total cannot yet be calculated because the election results have not been approved and the composition of the 15th Saeima, Latvia’s parliament, is not officially known. Candidates may also decide not to take up or continue their parliamentary duties.

Preliminary results suggest that more than 60 MPs will be new to the 15th Saeima, with about two-thirds of the parliament’s membership changing.