Latvia and Slovenia are close allies, especially in strengthening European security, both by supporting Ukraine and by strengthening the common security area in the long term. This was emphasised by the Speaker of the Saeima Daiga Mieriņa, on Monday, 18 December, meeting with the President of the Republic of Slovenia Nataša Pirc Musar. 

The return of each Ukrainian child kidnapped by Russia is an urgent issue to be resolved without delay. We must be relentless and continue our fight to return each child back to their homeland, underlined Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, Deputy Speaker of the Saeima and Head of the Latvian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), on Friday, 15 December, at the meeting of the PACE Bureau ad hoc Committee on the situation with Ukrainian children. 

On Thursday, December 14, the Saeima amendments to the law “On Police”, according to which as of 1 January 2024 the municipal police will have to be operational in all local governments. The amendments specify the form of establishment of the municipal police, as the obligation to establish it is already laid down in the Local Government Law.

Voting in municipal referendums until the introduction of the electronic voter register will be possible through registration envelopes. This is introduced by the Saeima on Thursday, 14 December, in the final reading of the amendments to the Local Government Referendum Law. In order to allow residents to participate in decision-making in local governments and influence the work of the council in the interests of local residents, as of 1 September 2024, the residents have the opportunity to propose local government referendums.

On Thursday, 14 December, the Saeima adopted in the third reading amendments which stipulate more severe criminal liability for joining in an organised group with the aim of carrying out actions directed against the state of Latvia, assisting a foreign state in such activities, as well as espionage. The legislative initiative was submitted by the President of Latvia Edgars Rinkēvičs.

"There is a strong determination in Latvian society to support Ukraine. We are with you in the fight for victory—both in practical assistance and in international advocacy of support for Ukraine. We wish you strength, endurance, and unwavering hope," said Daiga Mieriņa, Speaker of the Saeima, on Monday, 11 December, as she welcomed Olena Kondratiuk, Deputy Chair of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) of Ukraine, to the Saeima. The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Speakers of the Saeima—Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica and Antoņina Ņenaševa. 

A van previously used by the Parliament of Latvia will be delivered to Chernihiv Oblast in Ukraine to supplement the fleet of vehicles, which is crucial to ensure the rotation of army troops to the front line. Today, the Saeima Presidium made a decision to donate the van owned by the Parliament to Ukraine. 

Next year, the consolidated budget revenue is planned at EUR 14.5 billion with the expenditure amounting to EUR 16.2 billion, provides the Law on the State Budget for 2024 and the Budget Framework for 2024, 2025, and 2026, adopted by the Saeima in the second and final reading on Saturday, 9 December.

The value added tax (VAT) on vegetables, berries, and fruit specific to Latvia will be set at 12 % next year, according to amendments to the Value Added Tax Law adopted by the Saeima in the final reading. The amendments also stipulate that from next year VAT will not apply to fees for sports competitions and activities organised by associations or foundations, or to fees for children's stays at camps. The amendments are related to the 2024 state budget.