The Anti-Corruption Bureau (KNAB) of Latvia has sanctioned Saeima deputy Maija Armaņeva from the LPV party for breaching conflict of interest regulations by appointing her common-law partner, Māris Mežals, as her assistant. Although they are not officially married, Armaņeva has acknowledged their shared household on social media, which complicates the legal context surrounding the appointment and raises questions about the integrity of such arrangements in public office.

Under Latvian law, public officials are prohibited from entering contracts or engaging in actions where they or their close associates have a personal or financial interest. The decision by KNAB to impose a 100-euro fine on Armaņeva highlights the implications of these laws designed to prevent corruption and ensure transparency in politics. The fine has already been paid, indicating that Armaņeva has accepted the ruling.

As a result of the fallout from this incident, Mežals is no longer serving as Armaņeva's assistant and has transitioned to assist another deputy, Ričards Šlesers, also representing the LPV. KNAB's actions serve as a reminder of the ongoing effort to combat corruption and uphold ethical standards among public officials in Latvia, while attempts to contact Armaņeva for comments were unsuccessful, suggesting a desire for privacy following the negative publicity.