Over 10,000 signatures gathered against MPs' housing and travel allowances — Saeima could review it this fall
A public initiative to abolish transport and housing rent compensation for Saeima members has collected more than 10,000 signatures, and the Greens and Farmers Union faction leader says the current parliament may still manage to review it.
An initiative submitted through the public platform "Manabalss.lv" calling for the abolition of transport and housing rental compensation paid to Saeima deputies has reached the required threshold of over 10,000 signatures, sending the matter forward for parliamentary review.
Harijs Rokpelnis, leader of the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) faction in the Saeima, said there is a chance the current parliament could still examine the initiative, since regular plenary sessions are scheduled for September and October. However, he explained that simply reviewing the initiative would not be enough to actually change the compensation system — amendments to the Saeima's rules of procedure would also be required, a longer process. He suggested that this sasaukums (term) might only manage to begin that process, leaving the next Saeima to complete it.
Rokpelnis's position
The politician reiterated his support for keeping the existing compensation system, arguing it helps ensure more equal conditions for deputies from the regions compared to those elected in Riga, who find it easier to meet with constituents regularly. At the same time, he acknowledged that any issue involving taxpayer money deserves scrutiny and review, and said he would not rule out lowering the maximum compensation limits, noting that few deputies actually use the full amount available to them.
Background to the initiative
The initiative's author, Andis Feldmanis, deputy chairman of the Latvian Trade Union of Health and Social Care Workers, argues there is no objective justification for Saeima deputies to be in a more favorable position than other state and municipal sector employees, who cover their own work-related transport or housing costs.
The debate over MPs' compensation has gained renewed attention following public reports about a housing rent compensation paid to deputy Leila Rasima. The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has since launched an internal review into whether that payment was justified. KNAB has previously also pointed to gaps in the regulation of deputies' compensation that could open the door to misuse of the system.
