Signature drive launched to change ministers' severance pay rules

A signature-collection campaign has begun on the public initiative platform "Manabalss.lv", calling for a new procedure governing severance payments to members of the Cabinet of Ministers and parliamentary secretaries.

The initiative seeks a special arrangement for cases where an official loses their position in connection with a possible criminal offence. Under current practice, officials in such situations can receive severance pay without additional special conditions attached — something the initiative's authors want to change.

What the initiative proposes

The petition aims to ensure that when a minister or parliamentary secretary loses their post in connection with suspicion of a criminal offence, payment of the severance benefit would be postponed for the duration of the criminal proceedings. This would mean the official would not receive the payment immediately upon losing office if criminal proceedings have been initiated against them.

The initiative is intended to prevent situations in which state officials receive a state-budget-funded benefit while simultaneously being investigated over a possible criminal offence connected to the performance of their duties or the loss of their office.

The signature drive is taking place on "Manabalss.lv", a public initiative portal where residents can submit and support proposals for consideration by lawmakers. If the initiative gathers enough signatures, it will be forwarded for further review.