It is a world first.
The law passed in the Latvian parliament was supported by 62 deputies out of the 100 who make up the legislature, according to the Dutch news agency
BNO News
.
It prohibits national but also local lawmakers from voting and participating in debates if they have not received an anti-Covid vaccine.
The deputies concerned, but therefore also the members of municipal councils for example, will no longer be paid during the period of suspension which will affect them.
The suspension will come into effect on Monday and is expected to affect 9 members of the Latvian parliament, according to state television.
It should apply at least until July 2022 and will then be reviewed every two months.
Read alsoCovid-19: why Eastern and Northern Europe is more affected by the epidemic resurgence
Some jurists have questioned the constitutionality of such a measure, such as Dina Meistere, head of the legal office of the Latvian parliament, reports
BNO News
.
This suspension is necessary to gain public confidence in the government's health policies, said the sponsor of the legislation, MP Janis Rancans, as quoted by the parliamentary press service.
Latvia was the first to re-impose lockdown this fall to curb the surge of the new epidemic wave.
Most shops are closed and indoor and outdoor gatherings, sporting and cultural events, are not allowed.
Read also Covid-19: a teacher suspended for refusing to wear the mask, which she considers "incompatible with learning"
A peak of 3,206 new cases reported on October 27 was reached but since then new infections have fallen.
The country of 1.9 million inhabitants still hopes to increase the percentage of complete vaccination of its population, one of the lowest in the European Union, to 58.1%.
