The return of former ministers and the departure of deputies to the government will lead to significant personnel changes.
The change of government always affects the parliament, as politicians who have lost their ministerial positions immediately "remember" that they were actually elected to the Saeima and should return there. This means that the holders of so-called "soft" deputy mandates — that is, those who replaced deputies in the Saeima who moved to work in the government — lose their deputy powers.
Sometimes They Return
As is known, six politicians did not make it into the new government of Kulbergs: former Prime Minister Evika Silina, former Minister of Finance Arvils Aseradens, former Minister of Justice Inese Libina-Egnere, former Minister of Education Dace Melbarde, former Minister of Smart Administration and Regional Development Raimonds Chudars, former Minister of Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis, as well as former Minister of Communications Aitis Shvinka and former Minister of Culture Agnes Lace.
Of these, only Melbarde and Lace were not elected to parliament and will receive compensation of three monthly salaries. The others plan to return to the Saeima, including Evika Silina, who, however, has not yet submitted an application for the restoration of her mandate — she wants to rest a bit and return to parliament not this Thursday, but next. It should be noted that mandates can only be restored by a decision of the parliament, that is, at the plenary session on Thursday.
Sent to the Government
In turn, due to the departure to the government of Kulbergs, Janis Dombrava, Edwards Smilten, Edgars Tavars, Andris Kulbergs, Maris Kucinskis, Nauris Puntulis, Janis Vitenbergs, and Ilze Indrikson will intend to resign their mandates.
This means that 8 candidates next on the list will come to replace them. It is clear that not everyone is eager to go to the Saeima for 4 months, especially those who have good jobs or, for example, hold positions in local governments. For this reason, the head of the Riga City Council committee Girts Lapins has refused the soft mandate in the Saeima, and the next on the list — Edwards Ratnieks — will likely refuse as well, as he is unlikely to leave his position as deputy mayor of Riga for a 4-month stay in the Saeima.
Reshuffles in Committees
One way or another, after the personnel changes, there will also be personnel reshuffles in the key committees of the Saeima. The first to lose his post will be the head of the Saeima Committee on Economic Affairs Kaspars Brishkens, as his faction "Progressives" has found itself in opposition.
The committee will be headed by former Minister of Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis from the Union of Greens and Farmers. It is unlikely that the ruling party will start reshuffling in the presidium of the parliament — there is too little time left for the Saeima of this convocation to work. Instead of Edwards Smilten, who moved to the government, his party mate Linda Matisone will take the position of secretary of the Saeima presidium.
It should be noted that if Saeima deputies did not run for election or ran but were not elected to the new convocation of parliament, they will also receive compensation of three monthly salaries in November. Even if deputies worked for several months under a soft mandate...
