On Thursday, 1 November, the Saeima supported in the final reading the adoption of a new Diaspora Law to strengthen the diaspora’s ties with Latvia, rendering it an inseparable part of Latvia’s society, providing the diaspora with opportunities to freely maintain, create and expand its ties with Latvia, promoting the maintenance of Latvian language proficiency, culture and sense of belonging to Latvia, and promoting remigration.

On Thursday, 1 November, the Saeima adopted in the final reading a law on organising a receipt lottery. The lottery, which aims to urge people to ask for receipts or tickets for the products or services they purchase, is one of the measures to combat shadow economy.

On Thursday, 11 October, the Saeima adopted the Whistleblower Protection Law.  

On Thursday, 4 October, the Saeima approved in the final reading amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Latvia to allow an open ballot in the election of the president of the State.

The Latvian SSR Committee for State Security (KGB) files will now be freely accessible for research at the Latvian State Archive, with some parts of the files made available on its website, according to the amended Law adopted by the Saeima on Thursday, 4 October, in the final reading.

On Thursday, 13 September, Saeima issued a statement regarding Ukranian filmmaker Oleg Sencov. Saeima condemns the unlawful detention of Mr. Sencov who was apprehended in the jurisdiction of illegally-annexed Crimea in violation of international law. Saeima also believes that the trial and conviction of Mr. Sencov are illegal and politically motivated. In its statement, Saeima urges the Russian Federation to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Oleg Sencov and other unjustly imprisoned Ukrainians. 

On Thursday, 30 August, the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee issued a statement regarding Ukranian filmmaker Oleg Sencov. The Foreign Affairs Committee condemns the unlawful detention of Mr. Sencov who was apprehended in the jurisdiction of illegally-annexed Crimea in violation of international law. The committee also believes that the trial and conviction of Mr. Sencov are illegal and politically motivated. In its statement, the Foreign Affairs Committee urges the Russian Federation to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Oleg Sencov and other unjustly imprisoned Ukrainians.

“Security and defence are the main priorities of the Baltic and Nordic countries. In order for us to deter Russia from aggression, we must continuously strengthen the defence capabilities of our countries, while maintaining close cooperation with NATO, the EU, within the Baltic and Nordic region,” said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, during the annual meeting of the Baltic and Nordic (NB8) Speakers in Reykjavik, on Thursday, 19 July.

During Latvia’s Centenary XXVI Nationwide Latvian Song and XVI Dance Festival parliamentarians from several countries will be visiting Latvia.

“A strong network of honorary consulates provides critical support to Latvia. Your assistance is crucial when our people find themselves in crisis and emergency situations in your countries of residence”, said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Monday, 2 June, while welcoming Latvia’s honorary consuls currently in Latvia.