On March 1, parties representing the ruling coalition in Latvia conceptually agreed on a single-time EUR 200-benefit for pensioners and invalids, as confirmed by Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins after the meeting of the Coalition Council.
The PM explained that representatives of ruling parties agreed on allocation of the single-time benefit. Recently the government has also decided to allocate a single-time benefit of EUR 500 per each child. On March 1, the coalition conceptually decided to expand the range of benefit recipients.
The PM noted that Welfare Ministry together and social partners were the ones who developed this proposal. The coalition voiced conceptual support for it.
On March 3, the topic will be discussed by the Strategic Management Council. On March 4, it is planned to be discussed by the Cabinet of Ministers. Once these discussions are done, the legislative act will be sent to the parliament for a review.
Saeima member Gatis Eglitis said after the meeting of the Coalition Council that he was happy the coalition had agreed on support for these groups. He believes “this once again proves the coalition is able to agree on matters in which there were opposing opinions in the past.”
“It is clear we shouldn’t be stingy in a crisis situation, so to speak. We need to think on ways to help all groups,” said Eglitis, adding that with this support he believed it would be possible to assist all groups of society in need of support.
At the same time, representative of the National Alliance Imants Paradnieks said the coalition had supported the offer with the biggest fiscal influence than initially planned. He also said that talks had outlined the aspects the coalition would need to think on especially hard in the future. (BNN/Business World Magazine)