The Progressives faction in the Saeima has submitted a proposal to amend the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima, suggesting that former MPs convicted of a criminal offence should be stripped of their parliamentary “lifetime pass”.
According to the current Rules of Procedure, former members of the Saeima, as well as members of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Latvia who voted for the 4th of May 1990 Declaration of Independence, have the right to access the Saeima buildings. This right, however, does not apply to MPs who were expelled from the Saeima.
The Progressives argue that the provision of a “lifetime pass” to former MPs should not apply to individuals who have been found guilty of a criminal offence after the end of their parliamentary term.
They emphasize that MPs may be convicted of offences such as crimes against the state or acts of violence,
and in such cases, the presence of a pass granting access to the Saeima buildings raises concerns about national security and the integrity of the rule of law. According to the Progressives, the Parliament should not grant exclusive privileges to convicted former MPs, even after their term has ended.
“The so-called ‘lifetime pass’ is a symbol of honorary status, and such status may be revoked if there are objective doubts about the person’s loyalty to the state or if the person has committed a criminal offence – in other words, has engaged in unlawful conduct punishable under criminal law,” the party explains in its proposal.
At the same time, the proposal allows that, if necessary, a former MP who would be denied a lifetime pass under the proposed amendments could still visit the Saeima by applying for a pass through the regular procedure – meaning that the ban on entering the Saeima buildings would not be absolute.