(note from zemeunvalsts.lv)

The necessity for such a law was discussed back during the previous (12th) Saeima, with Artuss Kaimiņš promising a finished bill. At present, it seems that its necessity is not being explained in a clear or understandable way, or that proponents are simply unable to justify it. For example, how many people in Latvia are currently following the drafting, content changes, and development of laws (it is often stated that "the public will know or the public must know", without indicating even an approximate number of people who are directly interested in this...). Who exactly needs such a law? What will it provide and for whom? Will it improve the quality of the legislator's work? The strangest thing is that the law is being actively defended (or at least an attempt is being made) by the very political force whose own actions, as is evident, are most regulated or determined by various interests. Should we take this to mean that the law could be transformed into an interest filter law?

The long-discussed lobbying law might only enter into force in three years' time. This has been proposed by the Ministry of Justice, noting that time is needed for the Register of Enterprises to manage to create a lobby register. Long discussions in the Saeima are still expected regarding the law.

The idea of a specific lobbying law has been circulating in the corridors of power for a long time, but the 13th Saeima came closest to its adoption. "The law should have been passed at least ten or 15 years ago. The main thing it would provide is the ability to track who and in what way influences decisions in Latvian politics," explained Līga Stafecka, a leading researcher at Providus.

In practical terms, this means that any person who attempts to influence changes in laws or other regulatory enactments through decision-makers at least three times a year will have to register. In turn, both institutions and deputies will have to declare consultations with lobbyists.

"Until now, it has often been the case—perhaps not so much in this Saeima as before—that deputies bring forward proposals that they cannot even explain, and yet we do not know where they come from," pointed out Saeima deputy Inese Voika (Attīstībai/Par). (...)