Parliamentary leaders moved to discipline a newly seated lawmaker after he recorded a video inside the Seym meeting hall speaking Russian on his first day in office.
Speaker of the Seym Edvards Smiltenš (United List) joined other members of the parliamentary presidium to file an official appeal with the Mandate, Ethics and Statements Commission, LETA reported.
The document requests formal disciplinary proceedings against Andrei Pāgor (Sovereign Power / Young Latvians).
Lawmakers Target Russian Video
The controversy stems from a post published on TikTok on the opening day of the 15th convocation of the Seym.
In the recording, the deputy discussed the legislative agenda in Russian from the parliament floor. Although the original upload was later removed from the platform, copies continued circulating across social media networks.
Code Violations Cited in Appeal
Parliamentary leaders argue that the conduct breached the solemn promise enshrined in the Constitution requiring lawmakers to strengthen the Latvian language as the sole state language.
Officials cited paragraph 18 of the Seym Deputy Ethics Code. This rule mandates that parliamentarians communicate in the state language while inside parliamentary facilities and refrain from any actions that could undermine the significance of the Latvian language.
The Latvian language is the foundation and value of our state, which every Seym deputy is obliged to respect, honor, and strengthen. The promise made to the people of Latvia has not only legal but also deep moral significance,
Edvards Smiltenš, Speaker of the Seym
Commission Evaluates Conduct
The formal request asks the Mandate, Ethics and Statements Commission to evaluate the deputy’s conduct and impose sanctions if a violation is confirmed.
Authors of the statement stress that parliamentarians must uphold high standards of political culture and strengthen public trust in the parliament.
The appeal was prepared by Speaker of the Seym Edvards Smiltenš.
His deputies Ināra Mūrniece (National Alliance) and Raimonds Vējonis (United List) also signed the document, alongside Secretary of the Seym Ramona Petraviča (Latvia First) and Deputy Secretary Antonīna Nenaševa (Progressives).