Chamber of Saeima Deputy Rosļikovs barred from deliberative session

The Latvian parliament, Saeima, made headlines last week as deputy Juris Pūce was expelled for using Russian during a debate. The incident took place during the consideration of a draft decision regarding the "Declaration on the criminal Russification of Latvia" by the Soviet occupation regime and the avoidance of its linguistic consequences.

The speech by Rosļikovs, a controversial figure in the Saeima, sparked loud objections from his fellow members of parliament. Despite all debates in the Saeima chamber taking place in Latvian, Rosļikovs shouted a phrase in Russian, a move that was seen as a linguistic provocation.

Parliament Speaker Daiga Mieriņa proposed a vote to expel Rosļikovs for unethical behaviour, using Russian in a Saeima session, and showing disrespect for the Saeima and its members. The deputy speaker of the Saeima, Zanda Kalniņa-Lukaševica, suggested that Rosļikovs be expelled for one sitting.

Rosļikovs had volunteered to speak against the inclusion of the draft declaration on the Saeima's agenda. His expulsion, some speculate, may have been a publicity stunt, as local elections were approaching.

The vote to expel Rosļikovs was not without controversy. A total of 63 out of 100 Saeima deputies voted in favour, while the rest abstained or voted against. Rosļikovs left the hall after the vote to expel him was passed.

It is important to note that the prohibition on using other languages, including Russian, had been extended across the Saeima premises a week prior. This is part of a broader move to enforce Latvian as the official language in all state institutions.

Rosļikovs' fellow party members were seen filming the expulsion from their seats next to him. The incident has sparked a heated debate about the role of language in politics and the limits of free speech in the Saeima.