The President of Latvia has called for the Saeima, the national legislature, to reevaluate the recent amendments regarding judges' pensions, which seek to replace the current service pensions with special pensions. These proposed changes include raising the age for pension eligibility and revising the pension calculation method to better reflect the workers' earnings over a specific period. The intention behind this legislative initiative is to ensure financial sustainability within the pension system while adapting to demographic changes.

In his comments, the President highlighted that these legislative changes must align with the principles embedded in the Constitution, particularly regarding the independence of the judiciary and individual guarantees of judges' autonomy. The Justice Council had raised concerns regarding whether the Saeima has adequately considered these constitutional provisions while crafting the proposed regulations. The dialogue around this legislative change showcases an ongoing struggle to balance financial reforms and the preservation of judicial independence in Latvia.

Moreover, the President's statement comes in light of the Justice Minister's observations that the issue of judges' special pensions differs significantly from other pension regulations. The legislative adjustments suggest an increase in the period of service required for eligibility from 20 to 25 years, as well as limitations on the amount that can be received as a special pension. This request for reexamination by the Saeima underscores the importance of upholding both fiscal responsibility and constitutional guarantees within the Latvian legal framework.