“This is a traitor, a servant of the Kremlin, and simply a monster” – Mamykins returns to Latvian politics 0 10

“Russia wants to be obeyed”

Recently, let us remind you, parliamentarians discussed for a long time both the project in support of the Nobel Prize for Trump and the "alternative" statement of the ruling coalition in support of transatlantic cooperation.

Yesterday, during the plenary session of the Saeima, two statements were essentially considered — 1) in support of Ukraine in connection with the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war, 2) to deprive Andrei Mamykins of Latvian citizenship.

It should be noted that the first statement — in support of Ukraine — was prepared by the Saeima's Foreign Affairs Committee. There was no doubt that this document would be adopted. Deputies in their speeches called for even tougher sanctions against Russia, for continued support for Ukraine with money, weapons, and various other forms of assistance. Latvian parliamentarians believe that Russia "does not want peace; it wants to be obeyed."

Parliamentarians emphasize that Latvia "will never recognize the inclusion of the currently occupied territories of Ukraine into the Russian Federation."

The Saeima of the Republic of Latvia, in particular, resolved:

• "The occupied and illegally annexed by Russia Ukrainian territories — the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, as well as parts of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia — belong to the sovereign and territorially indivisible Ukrainian state;

• The Saeima supports an effective long-term strategy of the European Union and NATO countries to achieve the cessation of Russian aggression and to conclude peace in a way that would ensure a strategic defeat of Russia and prevent it from restoring its military capabilities;

• The Saeima approves the decisions of EU countries to freeze the assets of the Central Bank of Russia indefinitely and to provide a loan of 90 billion euros for Ukraine's current financial needs."

As a result, the statement in support of Ukraine, its sovereignty, and territorial integrity was adopted by an overwhelming majority of votes.

And to deprive of citizenship

As for the second statement, it was initiated by the opposition faction. The reason for the call to the government of the Republic of Latvia to deprive former Member of the European Parliament Andrei Mamykins of Latvian citizenship was his statement on the channel "Russia 1." In Solovyov's talk show, the former Latvian deputy and journalist Mamykins suggested striking Latvia with a "Nut" cruise missile. "They are not to be pitied," said Mamykins.

According to a number of deputies, Mamykins deserves to be deprived of Latvian citizenship for such statements. However, taking into account international law and other regulations, the authors of the draft resolution urge the government to resolve the legal issues of possibly depriving Mamykins of citizenship. The nuance is that in the modern world, a person cannot be deprived of citizenship if they do not have another (or others) citizenship.

“Will rot in prison”

The first to speak on this initiative was the head of the "New Unity" faction, Edmunds Jurevics: "This is a person whose name I do not even want to mention — a traitor to Latvia, a servant of the Kremlin, and simply a monster. An international warrant has been issued against him, and at any moment, as soon as his foot steps on Latvian soil or any other civilized land, he will be arrested, punished, and will rot in prison."

Jurevics also reported that the Security Service, together with the police and the prosecutor's office, has acted clearly and decisively in recent years to hold accountable those citizens and non-citizens in Latvia who commit criminal offenses — threatening Latvia, its sovereignty, Latvian society, and the common good of the country.

"And the courts have recently understood that we live in a state of war. Therefore, they are issuing harsh sentences to such Kremlin friends as Gaponenko and his henchmen. I am confident that anyone who violates the Criminal Code, calls for genocide and the destruction of Latvia will be held accountable," stated the representative of the ruling party "New Unity."

Mamykins postponed to the long term

At the same time, the deputy from "New Unity" accused the opposition faction of pre-election populism and a desire to distract attention from the fact that Shlesers' party included former mayor of Rezekne Bartashevich, who was not granted access to state secrets.

Jurevics noted that the Saeima cannot deprive someone of citizenship — this is not within the competence of the parliament. To be fair, it should be noted that the opposition, which raised the issue of Mamykins, did not propose that the Saeima itself deprive him of citizenship.

"The granting or denial of citizenship is, excuse me, a very individual matter. And in this draft resolution, there is not a single word about us taking it away. This is a matter of how we relate to the world, to mutual understanding, from this podium, from this hall. And this draft resolution calls for open actions, not waiting for the weather by the sea. Are we going to wait for something, wait again, rely on something, and wait again? No, action is needed.

In this hall, at least four or five people know how to act properly, and that Mamykins could end up in the dock. And that is why there is this draft resolution for us to ask the Cabinet of Ministers to consider and update this matter," explained deputy Edmunds Zivtiņš.

However, the deputies rejected the inclusion of the draft in the current agenda and in the agenda of the next plenary session by a majority vote. However, they agreed to send the document for further refinement to the Saeima Committee on Citizenship, Migration, and Social Cohesion.

Who will receive heating benefits?

In addition to Ukraine and Mamykins, the Saeima, after the "epidemic of statements," also dealt with more down-to-earth issues yesterday — the deputies agreed to start working on amendments prepared by the Ministry of Welfare, which were approved by the government the day before after heated discussions.

This concerns housing benefits due to very high heating bills because of an unusually cold winter. The bill in its current form only slightly expands the circle of people who can apply for housing benefits from municipalities — the threshold for minimum income for single pensioners, disabled individuals, and families with pensioners, children, and disabled individuals is raised. This means that more families will be able to qualify for such housing benefits as low-income individuals.

According to estimates, these changes will allow an additional 7,500 people to receive housing benefits. Previously, the number of residents who could qualify for assistance was estimated at about 30,000. Agree, this is very few!