Moscow's Hand Reaches into the Latvian Saeima: Deputies Accuse Each Other of Working for Putin's Associate 0 13

Wake Up, Patriots!

The relevant body of the Saeima regarding the denunciation of the document adopted in 2023 was the Foreign Affairs Committee. Opponents approached the struggle creatively. Thus, the chairman of the parliamentary faction "New Unity" Edmunds Jurēvics proposed:

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs can send a notification to the Secretary General of the Council of Europe about the denunciation of the convention after receiving a conclusion from the security services that no elements of the Russian disinformation campaign can be found in the process of denunciation of the convention."

• "All propaganda means are being used," the politician stated. "The Russian Federation employs them to split the European Union and the states belonging to the European community. Unfortunately, the Foreign Affairs Committee did not assess the impact of this bill, including on the security of the state."

"Especially relevant" for E. Jurēvics became this issue after the resolution of the Council of Europe No. 2622, which he quoted: "The narrative of Kremlin propaganda is used to polarize society and undermine democracy."

On Wednesday evening, a drone spotted many supporters of the convention. Photo by the State Police.

• "Colleagues, it seems to me that one of the goals of the Kremlin is to place these events in conservative and liberal frameworks, which is absolutely unacceptable," the parliamentarian continued. "For there are both conservatives and liberals among the patriots of Latvia... All this disinformation comes from the East!"

That is why it is necessary for the special services to "clearly and unequivocally" convey what the background of the denunciation of the Istanbul Convention is. Although, Mr. Jurēvics reminded, the struggle of the opponents of the Council of Europe document began immediately after its signing in 2023. "We remember well who were those active political forces. It was the 'Sovereign Power' of Julia Stepanenko, who still has not recognized Russia as an aggressor in Ukraine; they were the ones who stood by the parliament..."

The head of the "New Unity" faction addressed "especially to patriotic parties":

• "I urge you to wake up and not take this step, which the Kremlin likes very much."

"Involvement of Special Services in Political Games"

Meanwhile, Edwards Smiltenš, the former Speaker of the Saeima from the "United List," decided to reflect:

• "We are at a very interesting point: 36 years after the return of independence, in a democratic, free state. We find ourselves in a situation where the Prime Minister's parties ask uncomfortable questions, and in response, we hear lies that this is supposedly in the interests of the Kremlin, an inspired step. I have a corresponding question: is it adequate for the Prime Minister's party to involve the special services, which are overloaded in the context of searching for Russian agents, protecting our borders, monitoring the domestic political situation, and many other issues — they are working under overload, their budget is insufficient — to involve our special services in political games?

"In reality, it is not the narrative of the Kremlin that is at the core here. But what happened on May 10, 2023, was a deal in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A. Švinka confirmed this with his tweet. That government positions will be sold to the 'Progressives' and 'Green Farmers,' the presidential chair bought, the vote for the Istanbul Convention bought, and partnership relations established."

E. Smiltenš linked this entire political deal to one and a half dozen million euros that were withdrawn from the Ventspils port by the decision of the same A. Švinka, the Minister of Transport from the 'Progressives.'

• "Was this also the subject of the deal? 14.8 million — the price in exchange for the Istanbul Convention. Mr. Jurēvics, answer the question honestly! And this is a farce that is happening here."

A Bad Deal is Not Complicated

Mr. Jurēvics, for his part, awkwardly countered, calling a "farce" the fact that the parliament is supposedly denouncing the very document it previously ratified. Meanwhile, someone in a leading position in the legislative body should know that over the past 3 years, Latvia has denounced literally dozens of interstate treaties concluded with the Russian Federation and Belarus, and ratified as laws. So a bad deal is not complicated.

• "I understand, Mr. Smiltenš, that you still have trauma," E. Jurēvics mockingly stated. "That the majority of the Latvian parliament democratically elected a very good president of the state (let us remind that the President of Latvia Rinkēvičs declared himself an openly gay man. — Ed.). This opinion may be, it is your personal attitude.

As for the security services, it is "clear that they should not be given extra burdens." "But, considering that in this situation a bill threatening the international reputation of the state, dividing society, has been put forward, we unfortunately need to ask the security services to monitor this Kremlin narrative."

To this, Mr. Smiltenš was clearly offended and stated that he himself is a member of the Saeima's National Security Committee! And its chairman is Ainars Latkovskis, from the same "New Unity."

• "Have you spoken with Mr. Latkovskis, have you clarified his opinion?" the deputy addressed his colleague. "Have you approached Mr. Mežviets, Mr. Zviēdris? (Normunds Mežviets — head of the Security Police, Egils Zviēdris — director of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. — Ed.) What do they think about such a proposal? In my opinion, this crosses all possible red lines. It is simply inadequate and unworthy of the Prime Minister's party.

• "It is inadequate that the majority of the Latvian parliament wants to withdraw from the convention against violence against women and families," E. Jurēvics found.

"You Have Been in Parliament Relatively Recently"

Such a remark regarding E. Jurēvics was made by the chairwoman of the Saeima Foreign Affairs Committee Ināra Mūrniece (National Alliance).

• "I want to remind you that the National Alliance clearly stated its political position a long time ago, when the convention was still being signed, 10 years ago. We are against joining this convention.

"What do you want to clarify by giving assignments to the security services?" asked the former speaker and ex-minister of defense Mūrniece. According to her, the change in political position occurred — within the government of Evika Siliņa itself.

• "Maybe it makes sense to think about this and find out what is actually...

E. Jurēvics did not give up and insisted that, according to opinion polls, "Istanbul" is still supported by the majority of the people of Latvia, including the voters of the National Alliance and the "United List." But in the end, there were 3 deputies in favor, and 5 against, so our knights of the cloak and dagger will not head to investigate "Istanbul"...