If the Saeima passes the opposition- and Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS)-backed bill to withdraw Latvia from the Istanbul Convention, President Edgars Rinkēvičs says the law will “end up on his desk,” and he will have to assess it.
In an interview with TV3, Rinkēvičs did not give a direct answer regarding his stance on the Istanbul Convention issue. However, he observed that the parliamentary election campaign has already begun unusually early, reflecting party nervousness about their ratings. The president said he does not intend to take part in this political campaign.
“If I see that this is simply part of the election campaign, I will evaluate it solely from legal and state-related considerations, not ideological ones,”
Rinkēvičs said, referring to legislative initiatives during the pre-election period.
The president acknowledged that once the Saeima makes its decision on the possible withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, the bill will likely come to him for review.
“Then, within ten days, I will assess all aspects and announce my decision,”
he said, adding that until then, he would not comment or take sides.
Rinkēvičs believes that maintaining this stance helps reduce societal division stirred by the political debate on this issue.
He also sees the opposition’s proposal to change abortion regulations as part of the election campaign.
Rinkēvičs expressed disappointment that politicians, in their early pre-election zeal, are passionately debating human rights issues instead of focusing on security or economic challenges, which are currently more pressing. He also noted that these debates are often neither respectful nor rational.
After recent talks with party factions, the president said it currently appears that the government coalition will manage to adopt next year’s state budget. He highlighted three positive elements — increased funding for defense, demography, and education — but voiced concern over the growing national debt.
As reported, on the 23rd of October, the Saeima, with the votes of the opposition and ZZS, approved in principle a bill on Latvia’s withdrawal from the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, commonly known as the Istanbul Convention.
The bill was submitted by the opposition party “Latvia First” (LPV) and is supported by other opposition parties
— National Alliance, United List, and For Stability!, as well as ZZS, which is part of the governing coalition. The ruling parties New Unity and The Progressives oppose the withdrawal.
In the first reading, 52 deputies voted in favor of withdrawal, none voted against, Didzis Šmits abstained, while deputies from New Unity and The Progressives did not participate in the vote.
Before the vote, the majority of MPs decided to grant the bill urgent status, meaning it would be considered in only two readings. However, since fewer than two-thirds of MPs voted for urgency (52 in favor, 31 against), the president retains the right to veto the law if it is passed.
Initially,
the LPV submitted the bill without any justification or explanatory note,
which was later added after a few weeks. The party claims that the current implementation of the Istanbul Convention does not provide sufficient assurance that state and municipal institutions are consistently applying measures to combat violence in accordance with the Convention’s principles.
The Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention entered into force in Latvia on the 1st of May, 2023. It is an international treaty that requires member states to develop coordinated policies to protect women from all forms of violence, as well as both women and men from domestic violence.
Member states must also provide victims with comprehensive support and protection, including crisis centers, 24-hour hotlines, specialized services for victims of sexual violence, and protection for children who witness abuse.
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