Ministers announce they are giving up deputy pay, and the public asks whether both salaries are even allowed
Several ministers in Andra Kulberga's new government who are also members of the 15th Saeima have said they will temporarily forgo their MP salary. Social media users ask whether drawing both salaries is permitted at all, and the law restricts it.
In Latvia, following the 15th Saeima election and the formation of a new government, several ministers who also hold parliamentary seats have publicly said they will temporarily give up their deputy's salary. The announcements have sparked public debate over whether receiving both salaries is possible when the two roles are combined.
What was announced
On 3 November, Baiba Braže, a deputy elected to the 15th Saeima (Latvia's parliament) for the New Unity party, said she would not take her deputy's salary while serving as foreign minister in the government led by Andra Kulberga of the United List. The next day, 4 November, it emerged that the National Alliance ministers elected to the 15th Saeima would also temporarily forgo the deputy's pay.
What the law says
Article 9, part 2 of the law "On Prevention of Conflict of Interest in Activities of Public Officials" states that when a Saeima deputy combines the post with that of prime minister, deputy prime minister, minister, minister for special assignments or parliamentary secretary, they may receive remuneration for only one position.
Public reaction
Public relations specialist Ēriks Stendzenieks wrote on social media that Braže's announcement is not "special integrity" but compliance with the law during a transition period: she is formally choosing one, the higher, salary. In his view, the press release highlights that other deputies have not yet done the same.
Commenters on the news site were sceptical. One stressed that both salaries cannot be received anyway, another wrote that someone had voluntarily agreed to a mandatory requirement, and a further commenter ironically remarked on the "selflessness and generosity".
