Welfare Minister Petravica has not yet received security clearance

RIGA - The Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB) has not yet granted Welfare Minister Ramona Petravica (KPV LV) security clearance necessary for access to classified information, the minister’s spokeswoman Liesma Kalve told LETA.

According to LETA’s information, Interior Minister Sandis Girgens (KPV LV), Environmental Protection and Regional Development Minister Juris Puce (For Development/For) and Economics Minister Ralfs Nemiro (KPV LV) are also still waiting for the clearances.

Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said this week that those ministers that are denied the security clearance might have to be replaced.

SAB director Janis Maizitis said at the end of January that usually the vetting of public officials takes approximately two months. Saeima approved the Karins-led Cabinet on January 23.

The maximum length of the vetting procedure is three months but the procedure can be extended for another three months if necessary. A refusal to grant the clearance can be appealed to the prosecutor general and later in court.