Saeima committee greenlights drafting a bill on MPs' vaccine obligation

RIGA - The Saeima Defense, Interior and Corruption Prevention Committee on Tuesday gave the green light to drafting a bill that would oblige lawmakers to get vaccinated for Covid-19. 

The committee's chairman Juris Rancans (New Conservative Party) said that the under the proposed legislative amendments MPs who will not be able to present a vaccination certificate will be suspended from their office duties and their salaries will be withheld. 

Members of the Saeima committee did not debate on a regulation that could be applied to lawmakers who have to been vaccinated but have recovered from Covid-19 as the issue might be clarified once the bill is drafted. 

The proposal to draft the bill on lawmakers' vaccination obligation was supported by coalition MPs, while opposition lawmakers either voted against or abstained. 

Law experts that were invited to the meeting of the Defense, Interior and Corruption Prevention Committee, indicated that such a bill needs a legitimate purpose. Some lawyers voiced skepticism about the proposed regulation. Former Constitutional Court chief Gunars Kutris (Greens/Farmers) warned that the vaccine obligation might be appealed before the Constitutional Court.