Criminals see green light to enter Latvia

Gundars Jankovs, director at Transparency International-Latvia (TI-L), told LETA on Oct. 31 that the parliament-approved quota system on residence permits for foreigners (in exchange for major investment) shows indifference on the part of deputies about a new risk of corruption. Therefore, his organization is turning to the president, asking him to send the amended law back.

TI-L does not wish to get involved in a discussion of the role the residence permits play in Latvia’s economy, said Jankovs, but wants honest and transparent procedures in all sections of the government.

“Any alterations in laws and regulations that create new corruption risks do not send any positive signals to investors or the community,” Jankovs declared.

The Corruption Prevention Bureau (CPB) had already pointed out that any restrictions in a situation where demand exceeds supply can cause favorable conditions for corruption. Residence permit quotas will limit the chances of being granted a permit, posing corruption risks.