48 Members voted in favor and 37 against. The bill still has to be adopted at second reading on Thursday, and amendments to the Rules of Procedure of the Saeima have yet to be considered in the 3rd reading, so this can still be changed.
Ināra Mūrniece (National Alliance) pointed out that Saeima sittings often end earlier than 5 p.m. “What time savings will be achieved by reducing the speaking time on the tabled draft law from 5 to 3 minutes?” Mūrniece said, puzzled.
Ramona Petraviča (Latvia First), on the other hand, believes that this would “muzzle” MPs. “The amendments are aimed at the opposition’s ability to speak and to have a quality debate in the Saeima,” Petraviča stressed.
Meanwhile, Andrejs Judins (New Unity) pointed out that someone can say a clear thought in one minute, another needs 5, and someone can talk for half an hour without making sense. For the 3rd reading, in cooperation with the Saeima Legal Bureau, all times would be reassessed, he added.
Skaidrīte Ābrama (Progressives), the author of the proposal, also stressed that a lot can be said in 3 minutes if the debate is conducted professionally. “Let’s learn to speak concisely and save our time and the time of others,” urged Ābrama.
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