On Thursday, 26 September the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the Criminal Law aimed at preventing illegal financing of political parties, which distorts the principles of fair competition between political parties. The amendments lower the criminalisation threshold for illegal financing.

As the authors note in the explanatory note to the draft law, whenever political parties are involved in receiving illegal funding, they undermine public trust in the political system as a whole.

Criminal liability will arise if a political organisation (party) or an association of political organisations (parties) has been illegally financed in a significant amount, i.e., not less than ten minimum monthly wages in total (currently – 7 thousand euros). Until now, criminal liability was provided for from a the total amount of 50 minimum monthly wages (currently – 35 thousand euros).

The Law also establishes responsibility for the production or dissemination of knowingly false discrediting information, using deep fake technology, against a candidate for the office of a public official who is elected, appointed or approved by the Saeima. In the event that it is carried out during the process of electing, appointing or approving a public official, the offender will be punished with deprivation of liberty for a period of up to five years, temporary deprivation of liberty, probationary supervision or community service.

Saeima Press Service