Latvian parliamentary rent compensation probe

Latvian anti‑corruption officials have opened a supervisory investigation into Saeima deputy Leila Rasima after reports that she claimed €610 a month in housing‑rent compensation for a flat she does not occupy. The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) is examining whether the payment complies with rules governing parliamentary allowances. KNAB noted that two deputies have previously faced criminal charges for similar abuses, where they declared residences more than 39 km from Riga while owning property in the capital. To prevent future exploitation, the bureau is considering stricter controls, such as requiring proof that a deputy has no kinship ties with a landlord.

Prime Minister Andris Kulberg warned that several deputies might be manipulating compensation claims, noting that deputies' salaries are already sufficient. Rasima defended her claim, stating the flat was purchased by her mother in her name and that she has never lived there. While President Edgar Rinkēvičs described the matter as a procedural issue for the Saeima, the controversy has sparked a public initiative on the ‘Mana balss’ portal.

Proposed by Andis Feldmanis of the Latvian Health and Social Care Workers' Trade Union, the petition seeks to abolish transport and housing rental compensations for Saeima members. Proponents argue that these state-funded reimbursements are contrary to the public interest during budget deficits and should be redirected to healthcare, education, and internal security. As of mid-August, the initiative had collected over 4,300 of the 10,000 signatures required for parliamentary consideration. Records show that in June, Saeima deputies received a total of 22,419.53 euros in combined housing and transport compensations.