Latvia: Over 10,000 signatures collected to cancel deputy compensation

A public initiative in Latvia has gathered over 10,000 signatures, demanding the cancellation of compensation for parliamentary deputies' transportation and housing expenses. The petition, launched on the "Mana balss" (My Voice) platform, now requires parliamentary review.

Initiated by Andis Feldmanis, deputy chairman of the Latvian Health and Social Care Workers' Trade Union, the proposal highlights that many healthcare workers, social care staff, and educators commute from distant regions or rent housing in other cities, bearing these costs themselves. The initiative asserts there is no objective reason for parliamentary deputies to receive preferential treatment regarding these expenses, especially when employers are not obligated to cover them for other state and municipal employees.

“

We believe that in the current situation, when the state budget has a deficit and there is not enough money for such critically important areas as healthcare, education, and internal security, maintaining such compensations is unacceptable and against the public interest.

The petition argues that the position of a member of parliament should be one of public trust and honor, not profit. It criticizes the continuation of these compensations amid a state budget deficit and insufficient funding for critical areas like healthcare, education, and internal security, deeming them "unacceptable and against the public interest."

Supporters believe canceling these compensations would save taxpayer money, which could then be allocated to more crucial societal needs. The initiative's author suggests that such a move would demonstrate solidarity with the Latvian people. In June, Latvian parliamentarians collectively received 22,419.53 euros in various compensations, including 13,732.98 euros for housing rentals and 8,686.55 euros for transportation.

“

By canceling such compensations, members of parliament will demonstrate solidarity with the people of Latvia.