Latvia's anti-corruption bureau investigates ruling party's regional visit

Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has launched an investigation into a regional visit by officials from the political party AS, including Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis. The party's Kurzeme branch organized the tour of Southern Kurzeme and Liepaja on August 8, which included meetings with entrepreneurs, farmers, local governments, and residents.

Accompanying the Prime Minister were Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns, Latgale list leader Juris Viļums, Defense Committee head Raimonds Bergmanis, and AS board member Jānis Vilnītis. The party's board member Uldis Sesks organized the visit. AS described the trip as a regional visit where they met voters and the AS Kurzeme team.

KNAB is examining whether the visit violated pre-election campaign laws, particularly the prohibition against using administrative resources for campaigning. The bureau has received 30 reports of potential campaign violations since the pre-election period began, with three specifically concerning the misuse of administrative resources. KNAB is currently evaluating the information received.