In a report published today on corruption prevention in Latvia in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors, the Council of Europe’s anti-corruption group (GRECO) regrets the lack of measures concerning regulation on lobbying, parliamentary ethics and conflicts of interest.
Despite draft amendments which are reportedly geared towards enhancing transparency of law making, as well as increasing accountability of parliamentarians for ethical misconduct, GRECO considers Saeima’s record on the implementation of some key recommendations disappointing.
However, there has been progress concerning recommendations made to the judiciary.
Several legislative amendments have been passed to enlarge and strengthen the responsibilities of the Judicial Council in the appointment, reappointment and career progression of judges, thereby limiting the role of the executive and legislative powers in such processes.