It is necessary to consider how to prevent incidents like those involving former MP Aleksejs Rosļikovs (“For Stability!”) in the future, said Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa in an interview on Latvian Television’s programme “Rīta Panorāma”.
She recalled that a number of regulatory documents are already in place governing MPs’ conduct in parliament — including the requirement to communicate in Latvian within the Saeima building. Although the relevant Saeima committee will no longer review the Presidium’s previously prepared submission regarding Rosļikovs’ behavior, it remains important to understand how to prevent similar incidents going forward.
“Such conduct is not acceptable in the Saeima, and we must ensure it doesn’t happen again. This raises many questions about ethics and the kinds of deputies we elect,” Mieriņa stated.
She also noted that such situations create challenges for those chairing Saeima sessions. “We know that from time to time, there are MPs who do not listen to anyone, and this creates serious challenges for session chairs,” she said, adding that she herself is reflecting on how to lead future sessions more effectively.
As reported, the State Security Service (VDD) detained and interrogated Rosļikovs on Monday. The VDD also carried out criminal procedural actions at four locations linked to him.
Rosļikovs has been granted the status of a suspect in a criminal case for allegedly aiding the aggressor state Russia in activities directed against Latvia and for inciting national hatred and discord. He has been subjected to non-custodial security measures.
At this time, the VDD is refraining from further comments and has stated it will provide updates in line with the course of the investigation.
Last week, LETA reported that the VDD had opened a criminal case against Rosļikovs — now a former Saeima deputy and recently elected Riga City Council member — based on his remarks during the 5th of June Saeima session and other recent activities.
The VDD reminded that it had previously held several preventive discussions with the “For Stability!” party leader, warning him of potential criminal liability for unlawful conduct.
In a press release, the “For Stability!” party expressed confusion over the VDD’s decision to initiate proceedings.
Earlier this year, in February, the VDD held discussions with Rosļikovs regarding his public statements targeting ethnic Latvians. He was asked to explain the motives and intent behind those remarks and was warned of the consequences for inciting national hatred or other criminal acts.
On the 5th of June, a parliamentary majority voted to remove Rosļikovs from the Saeima chamber. From the parliamentary podium, he loudly claimed that Russian-speakers had also stood at the barricades alongside Latvians. He posed rhetorical questions such as whether Russian-speakers would next be sent to “separate reservations” or whether laws would be introduced prohibiting Russian names for children.
He also stated that the state had “bombarded our families” — referring to Russian-speaking families — with various laws and decisions.
Rosļikovs emphasized that a large part of Latvia’s population is Russian, speaking Russian daily at home, yet contributing to the country’s development. Therefore, he argued, the country cannot progress without them.
At the end of his speech, he shouted in Russian, “We are the majority! Russian is our language!” and made an obscene hand gesture. As a result, he was expelled from the session and removed from the chamber.
The State Language Centre will initiate administrative proceedings regarding his conduct, and the State Police will review complaints submitted by several Saeima deputies.
Rosļikovs was elected to the Riga City Council earlier this month.