2014 promises to be exciting for Latvia. In the spring there'll be elections to the European Parliament, and in the fall - the next elections to the Sejm of Latvia. It seems to be still far away, but the election romp (sorry, race ) have already begun. Since the real economic situation of the majority of population (the electorate ) is inconsistent to the least publicized "success stories", the good old slogan "Russians are coming" rises again. And from where qre they coming? Naturally from the East, buying anything and everything here to get a residence permit. So this residence permit was hit by the first hand.
The first votes cast "National Unity." These offer a general repeal of the law on granting a residence permit for the money. According to them, obtaining residence permits has reached such proportions that it becomes like a new colonization. They threat to organize the failure of the 2014 budget. In addition, this week the Prime Minister sacked the Minister of Culture of Latvia, which is a member of the association, and which completely fall out with all the intellectuals of the country and managed to get into a nasty financial history. Nationalists are very offended by the prime minister.
The second speaker, "the Reform Party." These are a little bit softer, but also threat with the budget failure. The fact that the first and the second are the members of the government coalition. And scare the premier can not only with the budget but also with leaving the coalition. They are echoed by some members of the "Unity" - the largest coalition party. For example, the Minister of Defence, Mr. A.Pabriks said that the sale of a residence permit is not just economic, but also a question of national security.
Talk so far is only talk. But last week, the Sejm rejected the law, which provided that the transition to euro will not change the fee for foreigners residence permit.
Briefly summarized all that was said above, we get the following. Authorities are gonna undo or tighten the requirements for obtaining a residence permit. The benefits will be given to those who will create jobs in Latvia, and not to those who are acquiring only the shelter. Obliged to obtain a residence permit their children to Latvian schools (unless, of course, they live here permanently.) And, of course, the Latvian language.
I think that the purchase of a residence permit won't be canceled. Everyone will find an agreement among themselves. It seems that there will be an increase in "entrance fee." This is supported by the fact that the Economy Ministry has proposed to create a kind of an "investment fund". It means, that you will only need to buy an apartment or a house, but also invest a certain amount to the fund.
In favor of the residence permit tells another interesting fact. The name of this fact is Land Development - the small company that specializes in the sale of residence permit. It is owned by Aria, the wife of the Prime Minister Valdis Dombrowski and by the husband of his counselor. Not long ago the firm sold a house and land in the amount of €159,000 to the rich Hindu.
Text: Vladimir Dmitriev, Riga, especially for ee24.com