On October 30, 2014, Latvian Saeima approved in the first reading amendments to the Immigration Act. It's planned to temporarily stop issuing Russian citizens residence permits in exchange for the investment, including the purchase of real estate in Latvia, at the time of the conflict in Ukraine, ee24.com informs citing rus.delfi.lv.
The amendments were adopted by majority vote: for – 50 (members of the "Unity", National Alliance and "Union of Greens and Farmers"), against – 24 ("Harmony Centre"). Only one deputy not belonging to the factions abstained.
The amendments approved in the first reading on the penultimate day of the old convening of the Saeima, which finishes the job in October 2014. Newly elected Saeima with dominating force of "National association", lobbied this project, will also consider the amendments in two readings. If they are finally approved, the bill will go to the President of Latvia.
In September 2014, Prime Minister of Latvia, Laimdota Straujuma said that ban on the issuance of a residence permit to the Russians was not planned. But 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. After it, meeting of the Commission of the Latvian Parliament on Defense, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention was held on October 21, 2014 and there were approved the prohibitive amendments to the immigration law, which were sent to the deputies of Saeima.
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.