Education information listed by MP Butans raises uncertainty

RIGA - Uncertainties have arisen regarding the educational background listed by Saeima member Arturs Butans (National Alliance) in the last three Saeima elections, according to information compiled by LETA and explanations provided by the politician.

In the documents for the 2018 and 2022 Saeima elections, as well as initially on his candidate profile for this year’s election, Butans had listed higher education. After LETA inquired about the qualification obtained in Australia, his higher education was changed to secondary education on his 15th Saeima election candidate form, and the Sydney Business College was removed from the list of educational institutions.

Butans explained to LETA that he had obtained a business management certificate in Australia, which he had not submitted in Latvia for recognition of educational qualifications. He later stated that he would contact the Academic Information Center (AIC) to determine the equivalence of his education.

Butans admitted that since obtaining the certificate in 2018, he had not pursued its recognition in Latvia. He explained that in 2022, upon learning of his election to the Saeima, he enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program in Latvia at the first opportunity, which he plans to complete by the end of this year. Next year, he intends to continue his studies in a part-time master’s program.

To verify the information provided by the politician, LETA contacted the AIC. The center responded that without an educational document, it cannot assess whether the qualification Butans obtained is equivalent to higher education in Latvia.

In response to LETA’s questions, Butans indicated that he had decided to seek consultation from the AIC to determine whether his studies in Australia are equivalent to professional or first-level higher education.

Currently, the candidate profile for Butans published by the Central Election Commission (CVK) lists secondary education as his highest level of education. The education section lists only the Riga Distance Learning Secondary School, the year 2012, and "general secondary education."

A reference to higher education in Butans’ election documents can be found as early as 2018. In the candidate information for the 13th Saeima elections published in Latvijas Vestnesis official bulletin, he listed Sydney Business College, graduation in 2018, his major as Business Management, and his educational level as Higher Education. The same information regarding Sydney Business College was also published in the documents for the 14th Saeima elections in 2022.

In the initial version of the 2026 candidate profile, Butans was also listed as having earned a higher education degree in business management from Sydney Business College in 2018.

Sydney’s Bridge Business College was a private vocational education and training institution. The college’s registration expired on June 30, 2020, and its current status is "withdrawn," meaning its registration has been revoked.

Sub-paragraph (f) of paragraph 4 of Article 11 of the Saeima Election Law stipulates that a candidate’s list must be accompanied by a statement, signed by the candidate, regarding their level of education, degree obtained and professional qualifications, as well as the educational institution and year of graduation. Meanwhile, Article 52 provides for liability for persons who have knowingly provided false information about themselves in these documents.

Section 272 of the Criminal Law provides for criminal liability for knowingly providing false information to a state institution, where the person is under a legal obligation to provide such information. This offence is punishable by short-term imprisonment, probation, community service or a fine.

Glorija Grevcova, who was previously convicted of providing false information to the Central Election Commission (CVK) and was elected to the 14th Saeima from For Stability party, has been sentenced. The false information she provided concerned her education and place of employment.