On November 20, 2014, the newly elected Saeima decided to review the ban on residence permits for the Russians who buy real estate in Latvia. The amendments were adopted in the first reading in late October 2014 on the eve of elections to the Latvian Saeima, the ee24.com informs citing varianti.lv and LETA.
The amendments to the Immigration Act were proposed by the National Association "All for Latvia!" – "For Fatherland and Freedom / LNNK." Earlier, the chairman of the parliament's commission on defense, internal affairs and corruption prevention Ainars Latkovskis suggested to adopt on the second reading the ban limitations in general.
Latvian chronicle around the residence permit and the Russians
21.07.2014. On the eve of the "New Wave" opening ceremony in Jurmala, Latvian Foreign Ministry denied entry to three representatives of the Russian show business - singers Alla Perfilova (Valeria), Oleg Gazmanov and Joseph Kobzon. The reason for that was their support of "Crimea annexation» and derogatory statements about Ukrainian Government policy.
01.09.2014. Immigration Act amendments entered into force, a residence permit in Latvia based on real estate purchase increased up to €250,000. Previous prices were lower. The Russians used to be the most active foreigners requesting the "golden residence permit" in Latvia in 2010-2014.
16.09.2014. "We cannot isolate people from one country only because Russia has such a Government. Business people are still working. I do not think it [the ban on residence permits for Russians] would be the right decision," said Prime Minister of Latvia Laimdota Straujuma ("Unity" party) on a briefing with reporters.
02.10.2014. On the eve of the Saeima elections the proposal of "LNNK" to ban the issuance of residence permits for the Russians was approved by deputies. This happened only after the third attempt (the previous two took place in September) and was explained by national security. Amendments were forwarded for approval to special commission.
21.10.2014. Commission of the Latvian Parliament on Defense, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention approved the prohibition amendments to the Immigration Act and forwarded it to the deputies of the Saeima for approval.
30.10.2014. Latvian Saeima approved the Immigration Act amendments in first reading. 50 deputies voted in favor (from "Unity", "LNNK" and "Union of Greens and Farmers"), against - 24 (from the "Concord center"), one abstainer.
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