“We have lived behind the Iron Curtain, isolated from the rest of Europe, and we are painfully aware of the need for unity of the democratic world in the situation caused by the current Russian regime. The democratic lifestyle, with all of its advantages, has demonstrated superiority, and protecting it is the interest of the entire Western world”, stated Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Tuesday, 11 January, while remotely attending the annual meeting of the heads of the diplomatic missions of Latvia.

During this heating season, more households will be eligible for receiving an allowance to cover housing expenses. This is stipulated by the amendments to the Law on the Suppression of Consequences of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection, approved in the final reading by the Saeima on Wednesday, 22 December.

On Wednesday, 22 December, the Saeima supported in the final reading urgent amendments to the Law on Pollution that stipulate compensating 50% of electricity system costs to all users.

Upon presentation of an interoperable COVID-19 certificate, it will also be possible to present a driver’s licence as well as a school card, student’s card, old-age retirement or early retirement pensioner’s card to establish the identity of the holder. This is outlined in the amendment, recognised as urgent, to the Law on the Management of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection, approved by the Saeima in the final reading on Thursday, 16 December.

On Thursday, December 16, in the third reading, the Saeima supported amendments to the Law on the Protection of the Children’s Rights, which provide for changes in the regulation on the adoption of children abroad.

On Thursday, 16 December, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Law on the Suppression of Consequences of the Spread of COVID-19 Infection, which provide for one-off support payment to persons with alternative status as well.

According to the decision of the Presidium of the Saeima on reducing the Saeima budget for 2021 and allocating the funding to the Ministry of Healthcare, the resources of the Saeima budget to the tune of 2.35 million Euros that were not used this year for the initially intended purpose, will be allocated to fund the needs of the healthcare sector.

"The strength of the European Union (EU) lies in its unanimity. A unanimous EU will be respected internationally," said Ināra Mūrniece, Speaker of the Saeima, on Friday, 10 December, in her opening address at the online discussion "Conference on the Future of Europe: Exchange of Thoughts," where representatives of NGOs and the Saeima shared their ideas and opinions on the future of Europe.

On Thursday, 9 December, the Saeima approved Irēna Kucina for the position of a judge of the Constitutional Court.