Press releases

Egils Levits sworn in as President
On Monday, 8 July, at an extraordinary plenary sitting of the Saeima, Egils Levits assumed the duties of the President and took the solemn oath: "I swear that all of my work will be dedicated to the welfare of the people of Latvia. I will do everything in my power to promote the prosperity of the Republic of Latvia and all who live here. I will hold sacred and will observe the Constitution of Latvia and the laws of the State. I will act justly towards all and will fulfil my duties conscientiously.”
Saeima decides on reducing excise duty on strong alcoholic drinks from 1 August
On Monday, 8 July, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Law on Excise Duties stipulating that the excise duty rate on strong alcoholic beverages shall be reduced starting from 1 August.
Saeima decides on further action by Latvia at the PACE
On Monday, 8 July the Saeima supported the draft decision “On further action by Latvia at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe” (PACE). The decision tasks the delegation of the Saeima to the PACE to engage in consultation with the parliamentary delegations and their members representing the countries which voted against the restoration of voting rights to the Russian Federation with the aim to agree on a common position before the fourth session of 2019 and decide on further action at the PACE.
Speaker Mūrniece in Tokyo: domestic violence is a social problem that needs to be addressed
Domestic violence is a problem that erodes our society like a cancer. It is not just a family matter, it is an issue for the whole of society, and countries must do everything possible to achieve zero tolerance towards gender-based violence, emphasised Speaker Ināra Mūrniece, while addressing the participants of the Women Political Leaders Global Summit in Tokyo on Wednesday, June 26.
Latvian delegation to PACE opposes the decision to restore Russia's voting rights in the organisation
The delegation of Latvia in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) strongly opposes PACE's decision to restore the voting rights of the Russian delegation in the organisation.
Speaker Mūrniece in Tokyo: we are interested in closer cooperation with Japan
We greatly value our relationship with Japan, including the active ties between our parliaments, which we want to develop further. As confirmed by high-level visits, cooperation between Latvia and Japan is expanding, emphasised Speaker Mūrniece during a meeting in the Parliament of Japan with Tadamori Oshima, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chuichi Date, President of the House of Councillors.
Saeima introduces criminal liability for non-declaration or false declaration of large sums of cash when crossing the state border
On Thursday, 20 June, the Saeima adopted in the final reading under urgent procedure amendments to the Criminal Law introducing criminal liability for non-declaration or false declaration of large sums of cash when crossing the state border. 
Use of former Soviet and Nazi uniforms at public meetings, processions and pickets banned
On Thursday, 20 June, the Saeima passed on the third reading amendments introducing a ban on the use of uniforms and their elements of the armed forces, law enforcement and repressive bodies of the USSR, its republics and Nazi Germany. 
Saeima in the third reading supports amendments to the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing
On Thursday, 13 June, the Saeima supported in the third reading the amendments to the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing. Amendments were necessary to ensure coherence between Latvian legislation and European Union law, and to eliminate the deficiencies identified in the Moneyval report of 2018. 
Saeima adopts amendments to the FCMC Law to reinforce the prevention of money laundering
On Thursday, 13 June, the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Law on the Financial and Capital Market Commission (FCMC) imposing several measures to reinforce prevention of money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism in the financial and capital market. 
Sestdien, 29.jūnijā