The United States has an indispensable role in Latvia’s independence and development, said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, expressing appreciation for the significant support of the U.S. Congress for the Baltic States as she welcomed U.S. Representative Jose Luis Correa to the Latvian parliament on Tuesday, 6 October. Representative Correa is a member of the Congressional Baltic Caucus.

Removing Russian oligarchs from the European Union (EU) sanctions list sets a dangerous precedent. Sanctions relief that is traded for concessions unrelated to Russia’s conduct undermines the very logic of the sanctions regime, stresses a joint statement signed on Friday, 25 September, by members of several national parliaments of European countries and the European Parliament, calling on EU Member States to maintain a coordinated and effective sanctions policy.

On Thursday, 24 September, the Saeima adopted in the final reading urgent amendments to the Law on Social Services and Social Assistance, which provide for increasing the amount of housing allowance and expanding eligibility for low-income households during the 2026/2027 heating season.

On Thursday, 24 September, the Saeima adopted in the final reading the Law on Clinical University Hospitals. The Law provides for changing the legal status and funding model of the three major clinical university hospitals – Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Riga East Clinical University Hospital, and Children’s Clinical University Hospital – thereby strengthening their role in the healthcare system and enhancing the system’s resilience.

To ensure that cargoes stolen in Ukraine, including grain, are not transported through the territory of Latvia, on Thursday, 24 September, the Saeima adopted in the final reading an amendment to the Law on Circulation of Animal Feedingstuffs.

On Thursday, 24 September, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Criminal Law introducing criminal liability for prohibited agreements in public procurement, also known as cartels.

On Thursday, 24 September, the Saeima approved the participation of Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF) personnel in international operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

The ban on imports of products originating in Russia and Belarus will henceforth apply not only to agricultural products and animal feed, but also to food products, as provided for by the urgent amendments to the Law on Agriculture and Rural Development adopted by the Saeima in the final reading on Thursday, 24 September.

The Saeima calls on the Cabinet of Ministers to develop a legal framework to immediately halt and prohibit the entry of Russian and Belarusian grain into Latvia, including in transit, according to the decision adopted by MPs on Thursday, 24 September.

In order to mitigate the impact of high fuel prices on residents and businesses, on Thursday, 24 September, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Law on the Restriction of the Increase in Prices of Petroleum Products, providing for a reduction in the excise duty on diesel fuel and petrol. It is expected that fuel prices could decrease by approximately eight cents per litre.