Saeima removes MP compensation rule from its Rules of Procedure after rent payment scandal

Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, adopted amendments to its Rules of Procedure in the final reading on Thursday, removing the provision that governs compensation for lawmakers' expenses. The area is to be regulated in future by the law on remuneration of officials and employees of state and municipal institutions. The decision comes as the compensation system has drawn scrutiny over a housing rent payment made to a deputy.

What the changes involve

The explanatory note to the amendments says that moving compensation matters to another law will provide a unified and systematic legal framework. It also stresses that the changes do not set new compensation amounts or alter the conditions for awarding them. Only the legal act in which these matters are regulated changes.

Clarified election procedure for officials

The amendments also clarify how members of the Saeima Presidium and other officials are elected. If only one candidate is nominated for a post, no ballot will be held. If there are more candidates than posts to be filled, the candidate with the most votes will be elected, provided they receive at least an absolute majority of the deputies present.

Background: the rent compensation inquiry

The question of deputies' compensation has become prominent in recent months following public reports about a housing rent compensation paid to deputy Leila Rasima (P). The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has launched an internal departmental check into whether it was justified. The bureau has previously said the current rules contain gaps that could allow the system to be abused.