Commission of the Latvian parliament decided: to prohibit the issuance of Latvian residence permits for the Russians in exchange of investments (including the real estate purchase) because of the events in Ukraine, but shifted the final decision making to the head of the Cabinet of Ministers, informs the ee24.com citing Latvian and Russian media.
Meeting of the Commission of the Latvian Parliament on Defense, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention was held on Tuesday October 21, 2014 and there were approved the prohibitive amendments to the immigration law. Most likely, the proposal will be considered by the new convocation of the Saeima of Latvia, as the current one shuts down in October 2014.
According to the rules, if MPs approve the project, the final decision is to be made by the President of Latvia, so today it’s early to speak about any ban which is already in force.
The amendments author is MP from the ultra-right "LNNK", Dzintars Rasnachs, who said that the ban on the residence permit issuance in Latvia for the residents of Russia or any other country will be temporary and is caused by the conflict in Ukraine, reports "Interfax".
Let’s recall that the draft was approved for review on October 2, 2014 on the eve of elections to the Latvian Saeima. The offer made by "LNNK" was approved only at the third attempt. Earlier, Prime Minister of Latvia, Laimdota Straujuma said that ban on the issuance of a residence permit to the Russians was not planned.
On September 1, 2014 a residence permit in Latvia got more expensive. Now it can be obtained in exchange for the real estate purchase which value exceeds €250,000. Previous prices were lower. The Russians were the most active recipients of the "golden residence permit" in Latvia in 2010-2014.