The State Security Service (VDD) has already issued security clearances for access to state secrets to the first municipal leaders, while one municipality has failed to submit the required application for its council chairperson within the legal deadline.
The VDD confirmed to LETA that most municipalities have submitted requests for special permits granting access to state secrets for their chairpersons and deputies. However, for several municipalities, the process of submitting the necessary information is still ongoing, in accordance with the Law on Local Governments.
According to the Law on Local Governments, municipalities must send requests for a special permit to the VDD no later than one month after the election of a council chairperson and deputy chairperson, but one municipality has not complied.
So far, the VDD has issued five special permits and has not refused any.
In total, Latvia has 42 municipalities with council chairpersons, most of which also have one or more deputies.
The VDD continues to assess the eligibility of other candidates for work involving state secrets.
The VDD also reported that one municipal chairperson and three deputy chairpersons had already obtained special permits in 2024. These individuals will not have to undergo the vetting process again.
The VDD reminds that it conducts municipal leaders’ and deputies’ vetting in accordance with the timeframes set in the Law on State Secrets. The standard vetting period for a special permit is three months, but if, for objective reasons, the comprehensive assessment cannot be completed within this period, the process may be extended by up to three additional months.
During the vetting process, the VDD thoroughly evaluates a person’s trustworthiness and ability to safeguard state secrets, gathering and analysing a broad range of information. This includes a detailed review of the individual’s past activities, time spent abroad, and circle of contacts.
As of the 1st of June 2024, municipal executive directors and deputy executive directors are also required to obtain special permits for access to state secrets.
If such clearance is not granted, the official must be dismissed.
In parallel, the Saeima passed amendments to the Law on Local Governments that, following the municipal elections in June, also require council chairpersons and deputy chairpersons to apply for state secret clearance.
Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development Raimonds Čudars (JV) has stated that municipal leaders and their deputies who fail to obtain clearance will not be able to continue in office.
He stressed that the vetting process is objective, as it is carried out by the competent law enforcement authorities, with decisions subject to appeal to the prosecutor’s office and the courts.
If a member of the municipal leadership does not receive clearance, the municipal council should first decide on a leadership change. If it does not, the minister will issue an order for suspension.
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