Saeima Factions Get Contract Work and Representation Spending Limits for November and December
The Saeima Presidium has set funding limits for the factions of Latvia's 15th Saeima for November and December: 1,000 euros per faction for contract work and 2,000 euros in total for representation costs. Amounts are calculated at ten euros per deputy per month.
The Presidium of the Saeima, which directs the work of Latvia's parliament, has set funding limits for the factions of the 15th Saeima for November and December this year. Each faction may spend up to 1,000 euros on contract work. Representation expenses of the six factions are set at 2,000 euros in total over the two months. The decision matters because it determines how much money the factions of the newly elected parliament can use for these purposes until the end of the year.
How the funding is divided
Representation funding is calculated at ten euros per month for each deputy in a faction. As a result, the largest amount, 820 euros, goes to the Unified List (AS) faction. Latvia First receives 340 euros, and Sovereign Power/Alliance of New Latvians gets 300 euros. The National Alliance and Progressives factions are each allotted 200 euros, and New Unity 140 euros.
The decision also provides that in November and December each office of a Saeima Presidium member may use 200 euros, within its allocated funding, to buy representation goods.
The Presidium's decision states that in an election year the limits are set for the period from January to October. After the composition of the Saeima changes, they are set for November and December by amending the relevant Presidium decision.
Political context
The newly elected Saeima held its first sitting on Tuesday, and soon afterwards the outgoing government of Andris Kulbergs (AS) announced it was resigning its powers. On Wednesday, President Edgars Rinkēvičs entrusted Kulbergs, the candidate for prime minister, with forming a government. The Saeima also elected its Presidium on Tuesday. Edvards Smiltēns (AS) became Speaker, and his deputies are Raimonds Vējonis and Ināra Mūrniece (NA). Petraviča of Latvia First was elected secretary, and Antoņina Ņenaševa of the Progressives became deputy secretary.
In the elections, AS won 41 seats in parliament, Latvia First 17, Sovereign Power/Alliance of New Latvians 15, the National Alliance and the Progressives ten each, and New Unity seven.
