We will not work on 2024 budget overnight - Silina

RIGA - This year the Saeima will not work on the 2024 budget overnight, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) promised at a press conference on Monday after a coalition cooperation council meeting.

She said that the budget would be discussed until 21:00, but if it was clear that the debate was coming to an end, the session could continue. Silina stressed that it was necessary to do everything possible to ensure that "the debate is meaningful and ends in normal time".

At the same time, the prime minister said that one day might not be enough for the debates on the budget at the Saeima.

As reported, parliament lawmakers are ready to work on weekends if necessary for the adoption of the 2024 budget in the second week of December, according to a meeting of the Saeima's Council of Factions and the Presidium.

The Council of Factions agreed in principle on the proposal of the Saeima Speaker, Daiga Mierina (Greens/Farmers), that the Saeima would decide on the referral of the budget package bills to the committees on  November 9, on the first reading on November 16, and on the second and final reading on December 7.

The Saeima could also meet on Friday, December 8, if it is not possible to debate all the proposals in one day. If the debate took more than two days, the lawmakers would be ready to work on the weekends - Saturday, December 9, and possibly Sunday, December 10.

The budget is scheduled to be discussed on these days essentially from 9:00 to 21:00. This time has been chosen in order not to repeat the practice of the previous government, continuing discussions on the budget after midnight. If at 21:00 there are a small number of pending proposals lawmakers will be able to agree collectively on a reasonable extension of time.