Press releases

Longer intervals for state technical inspections and stricter regulation of electric scooters introduced
Longer intervals for state technical inspections and stricter regulation of electric scooters introduced (22.06.2023.)
On Thursday, 22 June, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments providing that new vehicles will have to undergo state technical inspection within three years of registration.
Paid pre-election campaigns must be in the official language
Paid pre-election campaigns must be in the official language (22.06.2023.)
On Thursday, 22 June, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Pre-election Campaign Law stipulating the use of the official language in pre-election campaigns.
Photo exhibition of traditional Latvian costumes opens at Council of Europe as part of Latvian Presidency
Photo exhibition of traditional Latvian costumes opens at Council of Europe as part of Latvian Presidency (20.06.2023.)
“This is a very special time in Latvia. We will celebrate the summer solstice this week, and the 150th anniversary week of the Latvian Song and Dance Festival is due to start very soon. Today, you will have the opportunity to take a glimpse into this magical cultural canon of Latvia,” said Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima, Head of the Latvian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), on Tuesday, 20 June, opening the photo exhibition of traditional costumes worn by members of the family choir “Staro” (“Shine”) at the Council of Europe (CoE) building in Strasbourg, France.
Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica in Strasbourg: Russia’s brutal war in Ukraine has major global impact (19.06.2023.)
“Russia's war against Ukraine is has a significant impact globally. It has a negative impact on food availability even in the most remote regions. Energy prices have risen considerably, and Russia’s acts have increased the number of people suffering from hunger and poverty in the world, with a significant negative impact on the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima and Head of the Latvian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), addressing the Assembly's Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy, which unanimously decided to supplement the relevant report accordingly. The PACE session opened on Monday, 19 June, in Strasbourg, France.
Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica: We must maintain political pressure on Lukashenko regime
Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica: We must maintain political pressure on Lukashenko regime (19.06.2023.)
“We need to keep pressure on the Lukashenko regime, including sanctions, because Lukashenko supports Russia in its war against Ukraine, and his regime also oppresses civil society and organises hybrid attacks on the EU border,” stated Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima and Head of the Latvian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), on Tuesday, 20 June, during the Assembly's debate on the situation in Belarus.
Administrative liability for disturbing public order to be imposed also on legal persons
Administrative liability for disturbing public order to be imposed also on legal persons (15.06.2023.)
On Thursday, 15 June, the Saeima adopted in the third reading amendments establishing liability for legal persons for disturbing public order.
Saeima increases criminal liability for threatening to commit murder or grievous bodily harm
Saeima increases criminal liability for threatening to commit murder or grievous bodily harm (15.06.2023.)
In order to ensure more effective protection for persons who are threatened with grievous bodily harm or murder, the Saeima adopted in the third reading amendments to the Criminal Law on Thursday, 15 June. More effective protection will also be provided to people whose safety is threatened by repeated or prolonged stalking, surveillance, threats and unwanted communication.
Speaker Smiltēns: Saeima's Rules of Procedure - an effective instrument of democracy
Speaker Smiltēns: Saeima's Rules of Procedure - an effective instrument of democracy (15.06.2023.)
"One hundred years ago, our founding fathers chose the path of parliamentary democracy. It is not an easy path and requires the ability to hear and reconcile different ideas, beliefs and opinions. For the legislative process to work smoothly and constructively in a parliamentary republic, an effective democratic instrument is needed. The Saeima's Rules of Procedure have become such an instrument," said Edvards Smiltēns, Speaker of the Saeima, at the opening of an event to mark the centenary of the Saeima's Rules of Procedure on Thursday, 15 June.
Saeima changes repatriation procedure
Saeima changes repatriation procedure (08.06.2023.)
On Thursday, 8 June, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Repatriation Law changing the procedure for repatriation and providing that persons no longer will be granted the status of repatriate from 1 January 2024.
Speaker Smiltēns to President of German Bundestag: We are close allies in field of security
Speaker Smiltēns to President of German Bundestag: We are close allies in field of security (08.06.2023.)
“At present, the fight is not only about the square meters of Ukrainian land, but also about whether the world order in which the force of law prevails or whether it will be redefined as the right to force. Victory in Ukraine means a lot for the global future. Latvia and Germany are close allies in the field of security," said the Speaker of the Saeima Edvards Smiltēns on Thursday, 8 June, meeting with Bärbel Bas, the President of the German Bundestag.
Otrdien, 4.februārī
10:00  Cilvēktiesību un sabiedrisko lietu komisijas sēde
10:00  Izglītības, kultūras un zinātnes komisijas sēde
10:00  Aizsardzības, iekšlietu un korupcijas novēršanas komisijas sēde
10:00  Valsts pārvaldes un pašvaldības komisijas sēde
10:00  Tautsaimniecības, agrārās, vides un reģionālās politikas komisijas sēde
10:00  Sociālo un darba lietu komisijas sēde
13:00  Aizsardzības, iekšlietu un korupcijas novēršanas komisijas Visaptverošas valsts aizsardzības apakškomisijas sēde
13:00  Sociālo un darba lietu komisijas Nevienlīdzības mazināšanas apakškomisijas, Sociālo un darba lietu komisijas Sabiedrības veselības apakškomisijas un Tautsaimniecības, agrārās, vides un reģionālās politikas komisijas Vides, klimata un enerģētikas apakškomisijas kopsēde
13:00  Sociālo un darba lietu komisijas Sabiedrības veselības apakškomisijas, Sociālo un darba lietu komisijas Nevienlīdzības mazināšanas apakškomisijas un Tautsaimniecības, agrārās, vides un reģionālās politikas komisijas Vides, klimata un enerģētikas apakškomisijas kopsēde
13:00  Tautsaimniecības, agrārās, vides un reģionālās politikas komisijas Vides, klimata un enerģētikas apakškomisijas, Sociālo un darba lietu komisijas Nevienlīdzības mazināšanas apakškomisijas un Sociālo un darba lietu komisijas Sabiedrības veselības apakškomisijas kopsēde
13:00  Valsts pārvaldes un pašvaldības komisijas Administratīvi teritoriālās reformas rezultātu izvērtēšanas apakškomisijas sēde
13:00  Saeimas Eiropas lietu komisijas priekšsēdētāja Edmunda Cepurīša tikšanās ar Ukrainas ārkārtējo un pilnvaroto vēstnieku Latvijas Republikā V.E. Anatolii Kutsevol