Press releases

On Wednesday, 16 January, the Social and Employment Matters Committee of the Saeima started considering a draft law that will create a comprehensive legal framework for voluntary work.
Kalniņa-Lukaševica: Introduction of the euro is a long-term strategic policy, not a whim
On Wednesday, 16 January, during the meeting of the European Affairs Committee, where MPs assessed the introduction of the single European currency, the euro, in Latvia and the campaign for raising public awareness, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee, emphasised that introduction of the single European currency is not a spontaneous whim of the Latvian government; it has been the strategic goal of several successive governments, and it will soon be reached.
Solvita Āboltiņa: Latvia and Lithuania face many common challenges in the coming years
“The coming years will be full of challenges for our countries – Lithuania will undertake the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of this year, while Latvia will assume this task two years later. We must achieve favourable decisions regarding the new Multiannual Financial Framework of the European Union, we must make progress on energy issues, and we must continue to work on transport infrastructure development projects,” Solvita Āboltiņa, Speaker of the Saeima, noted on Thursday, 10 January, when meeting in the main building of the Saeima with Algirdas Butkevičius, Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania.
A smart and high-quality Latvian presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU), the introduction of the euro, active participation in discussions about future EU integration – these are Latvia’s imminent challenges in the EU. This was emphasised by the members of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima and experts on EU issues on Friday, 11 January, when discussing achievements and future plans for the country’s foreign policy before the annual foreign policy debate in the Saeima.
On Wednesday, 9 January, as a part of evaluating the introduction of the single European currency, the euro, and the attendant awareness raising campaign, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Chairperson of the European Affairs Committee of the Saeima, pointed out that the introduction of the euro has two essential aspects: Meeting the Maastricht criteria in the long term, which requires a stable national economy; and raising public awareness about the advantages of joining the euro area.
The Saeima received almost 6,400 submissions last year
Last year, the Saeima received 6,368 submissions from individuals, NGOs and other organisations. Also, more than 13,000 citizens used the opportunity to address the parliament in a collective submission for the first time.
The Saeima adopted 112 laws during its autumn session
During its autumn session of 2012, the Saeima convened for 16 plenary sittings, 1 extraordinary sitting and 1 ceremonial sitting. During this autumn session, the parliament has adopted 112 laws, including 17 new laws and amendments to 95 laws. In the process of law making, the Saeima has considered 3,176 legislative proposals either in the second or in the third reading.
On Thursday, 20 December, the Saeima adopted the final wording of the National Development Plan 2014-2020 (NDP 2020).
Saeima introduces significant amendments to the Criminal Law
On Thursday, 13 December, the Saeima in the third and final reading adopted amendments to the Criminal Law, thus significantly reforming the criminal punishment policy by facilitating law abidance and preventing convicts from committing crimes repeatedly.
Saeima conceptually supports the Draft Law on the Introduction of the Euro
On Thursday, 13 December, the Saeima in the first reading supported in principle the Draft Law on the Introduction of the Euro, which sets forth general principles for the introduction of the common currency of the European Union – the euro – in Latvia. The Saeima deemed the Draft Law as urgent, and it is planned to be adopted in the final reading on 31 January of next year.
Piektdien, 29.martā