Twenty years ago, when only two notorious nationalists — Dobelis and Tabuns — ignited the Latvian parliament, we had to listen to the soothing words: well, soon the educated, European, Latvian youth will come. They have indeed come, and we have bad news for you.
"Society will receive a safe environment"
The director of the Data Processing Department of the Citizenship and Migration Office, Uldis Apsitis, sent materials regarding the verification of information about 10,576 citizens who signed a collective statement "On the expulsion of those disloyal to the Latvian state from Latvia and the deprivation of citizenship of the Republic of Latvia" to the secretary of the Saeima, Janis Grasbergs (National Alliance). The sample turned out to be quite representative — only 67 people do not meet the criteria (likely because they are under 18), and the personal codes of 2 individuals could not be identified.
Unfortunately, the initiator of this initiative remains anonymous. He did not wish to reveal his identity — either because he fears for his safety in an EU and NATO member state, or he has already removed himself from his native Latvia and is simply not physically present here. For example, he might be serving somewhere in a warehouse in the UK and amusing himself with such nonsense in his spare time.
Nevertheless, the function of representation has been personally taken on by the head of the public opinion platform ManaBalss.lv, Master of History Imants Breidaks. Apparently, he considered this campaign worthy of his personal involvement and fully in line with the Satversme. The latter should be particularly emphasized, as it was previously stated in ManaBalss.lv that unconstitutional initiatives would not be proposed for signature.
"I ask the Saeima of the Republic of Latvia to consider the above-mentioned initiative to determine the expulsion of those disloyal to the Latvian state from Latvia and the deprivation of citizenship of the Republic of Latvia," Imants Breidaks addresses the legislators under his signature. "It is urgently necessary to develop a new law or make such amendments... Society will receive a safe environment, which will prevent threats and strengthen the Latvian state. Together with loyal foreigners, this will strengthen Latvian self-awareness and conviction that our state, where we live, study, and work, is also indivisible in views on national values, territory, principles, laws, and language."
"A legal solution is possible"
On Wednesday, during a meeting of the Saeima's Commission on Mandates, Ethics, and Statements, chaired by Janis Vucans (Union of Greens and Farmers), the initiative was initially reviewed. According to the chairperson of the commission, its duty is to provide an opinion at the plenary session of the parliament by February 11, 2026. Imants Breidaks stated:
– Although yesterday the president spoke very convincingly about the need for us to constantly focus on the common good, today we still need to talk about such an initiative that is in the context of national security.
"Please note that the initiative began in May 2022," Breidaks revealed the background. "That is, the war had just begun, and Ukraine's survival was not at all guaranteed as it is today. The authors of the initiative understand that this is a legally complex issue, and in communication with us, they indicated that some opinions expressed by legal experts still give hope that a legal solution is possible."
– I would urge you to view this initiative precisely through the lens of national security, – Breidaks addressed the deputies. – There are people who have chosen to be loyal either to the deceased Soviet Empire or to the current Kremlin Empire, which wishes to build power on corpses. And this is the framework, the direction, to which the authors would like to draw your attention.
Sandis Blumbergs, a lawyer from the Ministry of the Interior, commented: "It would be easier if this were a specific legislative initiative... The existing regulation is sufficient for competent institutions to be able to respond adequately in any situations where disloyalty to the state is observed, or if any other threat to national security is present. In our view, both security institutions and other state institutions are authorized to act, and the legal framework is sufficient."
Amendments may not be necessary, but they should be supported
Mr. Blumbergs also pointed out that there is a mechanism for stripping Latvian citizenship from individuals with unauthorized dual citizenship. There is also the possibility of revoking residence permits. "Probably, these are the people being referred to here," the lawyer suggested. Although in his position, it would not be wise to narrow the potential circle of those to be stripped of citizenship — nothing of the sort is written in the proposal, so it can be understood that all citizens of Latvia whose views are deemed disloyal for some reason are meant.
– For Latvian citizens who do not have another citizenship, this sole citizenship cannot be revoked, – Janis Vucans stated.
– Yes, that’s what I wanted to say, that’s exactly the case, – Sandis Blumbergs replied. – And the amendments made to the Citizenship Law in April 2022 directly and irrefutably indicate this. Citizenship deprivation can only occur concerning those individuals who will not become stateless as a result.
Ina Vorpa, deputy head of the Legal Department of the Citizenship and Migration Office, stated:
– I also believe that the current regulation is sufficient to act against individuals who threaten the security of Latvia.
According to Ms. Vorpa, expulsion applies to citizens of "third countries" (i.e., non-EU), and is stipulated in the Immigration Law. However, as she understood from the initiative, it was not written about them...
A representative of the state security structures, who wished to remain anonymous, stated remotely that Latvia is not exempt from international obligations not to make people stateless. Moreover, Article 102 was introduced in the State Administration Law in 2023, establishing a loyalty criterion. "This does not cover the same scope as in the initiative — but is an example of what the legislator has done regarding loyalty."
Deputy Raivis Dzintars (National Alliance) suggested that the initiative may not turn into specific amendments — but it should be supported. The result was "for" 9, "against" 2, "abstained" 2. The initiative will be further considered in the Commission on Defense, Internal Affairs, and Corruption Prevention. On November 27, Janis Vucans will personally report on the decision at the plenary session of the Saeima.
ORGANIZATION
The ManaBalss.lv platform was created in 2011 against the backdrop of the "Funeral of Oligarchs" campaign, coinciding with the dissolution of the IX Saeima. It belongs to the organization "Public Participation Fund," founded by Imants Breidaks, Signe Valtine, and Valdis Pornieks.
During its operation, the public activists have submitted 140 initiatives to the Saeima, 83 of which have become law. Recently, the organization requested the parliament to ensure permanent funding from the state budget.
