RIGA, July 23 (LETA) - On Thursday, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Administrative Territories and Populated Areas Act, which grant Carnikava city status.

The law was considered under an expedited procedure and will take effect on August 22. On that day, the Eel Festival will take place in Carnikava.

Lawmakers supported the alternative bill drafted by the Saeima public administration and local government committee, but the original bill was submitted by Saeima Speaker Daiga Mierina (Greens/Farmers), Olegs Burovs (Honor to Serve Riga), Ingmars Lidaka (United List), Harijs Rokpelnis (Greens/Farmers), Janis Grasbergs (National Alliance), Inara Murniece (National Alliance), Raimonds Cudars (New Unity), and Andrejs Celapiters.

One of the bill’s authors, the former chair of the Carnikava municipal council, and currently Saeima speaker Mierina, explained earlier at a meeting of the Saeima committee that the idea of Carnikava obtaining city status had been in the works for more than ten years. She noted that residents had expressed this desire in strategic documents, and public consultations on the topic had been held on several occasions. Mierina pointed out that Carnikava is currently the largest village in Latvia and meets the legal criteria for obtaining city status, as it has more than 5,000 permanent residents.

As explained in the memorandum, the village of Carnikava already exhibits characteristics typical of a city in terms of population, infrastructure, access to services, and functional significance within the Adazi municipality. Carnikava has well-developed public infrastructure, access to municipal, educational, sports, cultural, health, and other services, as well as an active economic and social life.