Committee backs audit of the Saeima’s annual accounts

Latvia’s State Administration and Local Government Committee on Wednesday backed a proposal to let the State Audit Office check the accuracy of the Latvian parliament’s annual financial report, LSM reported. Two proposals to expand the scope of audits did not win the committee’s support.

The changes aim to make the Saeima’s financial accounting more transparent. The parliament is currently the only state institution not audited by the State Audit Office. The proposed rules would not allow audits of the parliament’s performance or compliance, citing its special constitutional status.

Independent MP Skaidrīte Ābrama proposed allowing compliance and performance audits of the use of the Saeima’s budget and its management of state property. She said a financial audit alone could not establish whether spending complied with laws or whether public funds were used economically, efficiently and effectively. Her proposal would have barred the State Audit Office from assessing the parliament’s political objectives or legislative work. It was rejected.

Andrejs Judins of the New Unity party also proposed expanding the State Audit Office’s powers to audit the Saeima’s handling of finances. His proposal was among those that failed to gain the committee’s support.