The first 'showdowns' have already begun in the new Saeima

Such a thing has never happened in the recent history of Latvian parliamentarism - just a week after the new Saeima began its work, the temporary commission on mandates, statements, and ethics will consider the case of deputy Andrey Pahors ('Sovereign Power - Young Latvians') violating the Saeima Rules of Procedure (Kārtības rullis). Let us remind you: the deputy, even before officially taking office, that is, before taking the solemn oath, recorded a video for social media directly from the parliament hall, in which he spoke in Russian about what is currently happening in the Saeima. This recording in Russian was soon reacted to by the Speaker of the Saeima, Edvards Smiltens, and the Vice-Speaker, Inara Murniece, who reminded that now the Kārtības rullis prohibits the use of any language other than the state language in communication with other deputies and residents of Latvia within the walls of the Saeima. Thus, Pahors violated the Regulations. And the corresponding statement from Smiltens and Murniece will be considered by the mandate commission this Wednesday, November 11. Pahors may get off with a warning, but if he is unlucky, he could face a ban on attending one or more sessions, which would lead to a salary reduction - a minus of 20 percent for each missed session. It should be noted that the requirement for deputies and parliamentary staff to use only the state language in the Saeima was introduced by the previous parliament.