Budget, Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Pensioners

Finance Minister Janis Reirs (Unity) told reporters that it would not be fair to allot extra funds to one ministry now, as other ministries' new policy initiatives have not yet been received by the government. Furthermore, amending the budget now is impossible – this could be done in the summer by altering the medium-term budget. "Other sectors require extra funds as well," said Reirs.

Whereas Welfare Minister Uldis Augulis (Greens/Farmers) said after the government's meeting that it was very important to make a decision without delay. He hopes that the budget debate in August-September will be constructive. Augulis understands the complicated budget situation, but will nevertheless try to convince other ministers that the system for calculating pensions needs to be altered.

The government today nevertheless approved that section of the amendments that concerned the Constitutional Court's verdict. The verdict ordered upgrades to the system of calculating disability pensions, and no application of negative indices in pension amount calculations.