Establishing the European Competitiveness Fund ('ECF’), including the specific programme for defence research and innovation activities
Shadow2025/0555(COD)appointed 4 Dec 2025
- Mission of Canada to the EUShadow rapporteur
1434
Votes Participated
10th Term
2024 – 2029
Attendance by month
EP · roll-call · last 180 daysCredited roll-call participation in each calendar month of the current 180-day window of the 10th term, from the same per-sitting counts as the headline figure. Officially excused sittings (Rule 162) are removed from that month's denominator — a gap in the line is a fully excused month. The dashed line is the mean of ranked MEPs' monthly rates. How this is calculated
Missed votes by sitting
EP · attendance register · last 180 daysEvery plenary sitting day on which this MEP missed at least one roll-call vote, newest first. “Officially excused” means the Parliament's own record excuses the absence; those sittings are already credited in the figure above. Links open the Parliament's record for that day. How this works
- Mon, 19 Oct 2026Missed all 5 votesNot excusedAttendance register ↗Roll-call votes ↗
- Mon, 5 Oct 2026Missed the 1 voteNot excusedAttendance register ↗Roll-call votes ↗
- Thu, 17 Sept 2026Missed all 124 votesNot excusedAttendance register ↗Roll-call votes ↗
- Mon, 14 Sept 2026Missed the 1 voteNot excusedAttendance register ↗Roll-call votes ↗
- Wed, 8 Jul 2026Missed 3 of 144 votesNot excusedAttendance register ↗Roll-call votes ↗
- Mon, 6 Jul 2026Missed all 2 votesNot excusedAttendance register ↗Roll-call votes ↗
- Mon, 15 Jun 2026Missed all 2 votesNot excusedAttendance register ↗Roll-call votes ↗
- Mon, 18 May 2026Missed all 4 votesNot excusedAttendance register ↗Roll-call votes ↗
Voting Record
Main votes over the last 180 days · data as of 22 Oct 2026
22 Oct 2026Escalation of Russian strikes in the EU, particularly on Bla…EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗ForADOPTED
22 Oct 2026Cohesion policy in the EU’s eastern border regions: strength…EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗ForADOPTED
22 Oct 2026Revised heat and fuel benchmark values for 2026-2030EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗ForADOPTED
22 Oct 2026Revised heat and fuel benchmark values for 2026-2030EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗AgainstREJECTED
22 Oct 2026Simplification of certain requirements and procedures for ch…EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗ForADOPTED
22 Oct 2026Simplification of certain requirements and procedures for ch…EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗AgainstREJECTED
22 Oct 2026Reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector: postpon…EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗ForADOPTED
22 Oct 2026Reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector: postpon…EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗AgainstREJECTED
Voting against the party line
Share of recorded plenary roll-call votes where Rihards KOLS voted differently from the majority of their European Parliament political group, or of their national-party colleagues.
Different from ECR majority
9.0% (16 of 178)
The ECR average on the same method is 15.8%. Counted only when Rihards KOLS cast For, Against or Abstain and the group had a unique leading position.
Different from national-party majority
0.0% (0 of 149)
Nacionālā apvienība "Visu Latvijai!" - "Tēvzemei un Brīvībai/LNNK" (National Alliance) · 2 sitting MEPs. Singleton delegations are excluded.
Largest breaks from the group majority
15 Sept 2026For
Findings and recommendations of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
Rihards KOLS voted For; 86% of voting ECR members (67 of 78) voted Against.
EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗16 Sept 2026For
Establishing the Single Market and Customs Programme for the period 2028-2034
Rihards KOLS voted For; 83% of voting ECR members (63 of 76) voted Abstain.
EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗20 May 2026Abstain
Rule of law, fundamental rights and misuse of EU funds in Slovakia: the need for an EU response
Rihards KOLS voted Abstain; 83% of voting ECR members (53 of 64) voted Against.
EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗15 Sept 2026For
Draft amending budget No 2/2026: update of revenue (own resources) and adjustments to expenditure
Rihards KOLS voted For; 76% of voting ECR members (59 of 78) voted Abstain.
EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗15 Sept 2026For
The EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027
Rihards KOLS voted For; 72% of voting ECR members (53 of 74) voted Abstain.
EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗20 May 2026For
Recommendation on the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly
Rihards KOLS voted For; 71% of voting ECR members (53 of 75) voted Abstain.
EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗9 Jul 2026Against
Temporary derogation from the ePrivacy directive
Rihards KOLS voted Against; 67% of voting ECR members (43 of 64) voted For.
EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗17 Jun 2026For
2025 Commission report on North Macedonia
Rihards KOLS voted For; 67% of voting ECR members (53 of 79) voted Abstain.
EP roll-call results ↗via HowTheyVote.eu ↗Source: HowTheyVote.eu export of European Parliament roll-call results. This is a count of recorded positions, not a judgment of motive. How this is calculated · Who breaks with their group most often
Vote predictions
Vote modelComputed from Rihards KOLS’s own roll-call record and how their group actually voted, rules, not guesswork.
90% accurate on 5,744 held-out votes
Coming up in plenary, early prediction
EU agri-food promotion policy
2026-11-12 · European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) voted For in 69% of 221 agriculture votes
For likely
Institutional aspects of artificial intelligence in the context of European integration
2026-11-12 · European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) voted For in 47% of 511 digital votes
For likely
From prototypes to capabilities – enabling new defence actors to scale up
2026-11-12 · European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) voted For in 58% of 609 defence votes
For likely
Predicted stance by topic
- climateFor 50% of 14
- tradeFor 100% of 10
- foreignFor 100% of 9
- employmentFor 78% of 9
- transportFor 88% of 8
- defenceFor 63% of 8
- economyFor 88% of 8
- digitalFor 57% of 7
- rule of lawFor 57% of 7
- fisheriesFor 100% of 6
- healthAgainst 75% of 4
- budgetFor 75% of 4
- energyFor 100% of 3
- agricultureFor 67% of 3
Votes Rihards missed, how they would likely have voted
Strengthening global health resilience in partner countries
2026-09-17
Against · 84%
92% of 60 European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) MEPs voted Against · voted Against in 75% of 4 health votes · voted For in 65% of the last 20 cast votes
The recent hybrid attacks and instrumentalisation of migrants in Ceuta and the need for a coordinated response to protect EU’s external borders
2026-09-17
For · 95%
100% of 69 European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) MEPs voted For · voted For in 65% of the last 20 cast votes
Narco-trafficking in Europe’s waters: protecting our borders and supporting our law enforcement officers
2026-09-17
For · 95%
100% of 72 European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) MEPs voted For · voted For in 65% of the last 20 cast votes
Evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy and follow-up
2026-09-17
For · 95%
72% of 74 European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) MEPs voted For · voted For in 100% of 6 fisheries votes · voted For in 65% of the last 20 cast votes
The role of social, economic and environmental standards in safeguarding fair competition for all aquatic food products and improving food security
2026-09-17
For · 95%
95% of 73 European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) MEPs voted For · voted For in 50% of 14 climate votes · voted For in 65% of the last 20 cast votes
Rapporteur files
Files in the 2024–2029 term where Rihards KOLS was appointed to write the Parliament’s report or a committee opinion, or to follow the file for their political group as shadow rapporteur.
Rapporteur · 1
Writes the lead committee's report. Legislative files first, then own-initiative reports.
Amending Regulations (EU) 2021/694, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697, (EU) 2021/1153, (EU) 2023/1525 and 2024/795, as regards incentivising defence-related investments in the EU budget to implement the ReArm Europe Plan
2025/0103(COD) ↗ · ITRE · appointed 15 May 2025
Opinion rapporteur · 1
Writes another committee's opinion for the lead committee.
Recommendation for the Council, for the Commission and for the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on the changing geopolitical situation in East Asia and the need for closer cooperation with like-minded partners in the region
2025/2169(INI) ↗ · INTA · appointed 15 Jul 2025
Voted for on this file · 7 Jul 2026
Shadow rapporteur · 12
Follows the lead committee’s report for their political group.
Agreement on Electronic Commerce
2026/0191(NLE) ↗ · appointed 23 Sep 2026
Recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on EU-Norway political relations
2026/2042(INI) ↗ · appointed 8 Sep 2026
Situation of international law and the risks to multilateralism, democracy and the European Union
2026/2037(INI) ↗ · appointed 11 May 2026
Opportunities and challenges presented by a comprehensive artificial intelligence strategy for EU trade
2025/2112(INI) ↗ · appointed 14 Apr 2026
Establishment of European Business Wallets
2025/0358(COD) ↗ · appointed 30 Mar 2026
Establishing Global Europe
2025/0227(COD) ↗ · appointed 19 Jan 2026
Establishing the European Competitiveness Fund ('ECF’), including the specific programme for defence research and innovation activities
2025/0555(COD) ↗ · appointed 4 Dec 2025
Phasing out Russian natural gas imports, improving monitoring of potential energy dependencies and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1938
2025/0180(COD) ↗ · appointed 14 Jul 2025
Show 4 more
Suspending certain parts of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 as regards imports of Ukrainian products into the European Union
2025/0056(COD) ↗ · appointed 19 Mar 2025
Adoption by the Union of the Agreement on the interpretation and application of the Energy Charter Treaty between the European Union, the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States
2024/0148(COD) ↗ · appointed 18 Nov 2024
Establishing the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism and providing exceptional macro-financial assistance to Ukraine
2024/0234(COD) ↗ · appointed 30 Sep 2024
Conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the United Nations Convention on transparency in treaty-based investor-State arbitration
2015/0012(NLE) ↗ · appointed 30 Sep 2024
Show more: shadow rapporteur for opinions (3)
Follows another committee’s opinion for their political group.
Amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards the extension of its scope to downstream goods and anti-circumvention measures
2025/0419(COD) ↗ · appointed 4 Mar 2026
Laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2028 to 2034
2025/0571(APP) ↗ · appointed 17 Nov 2025
Amending Regulation (EU) 2023/956 as regards simplifying and strengthening the carbon border adjustment mechanism
2025/0039(COD) ↗ · appointed 30 Apr 2025
Dates are appointment dates. The Parliament’s data doesn’t mark rapporteurs who were later replaced, so a role listed here may have ended; the linked Legislative Observatory (OEIL) file is the authoritative record. Source: European Parliament Open Data Portal · CC BY 4.0 · data as of 31 Oct 2026 · How we compile this
Financial Declarations
Declared to the European Parliament · Self-reported by the MEP
Estimated outside income
€0–0/year
Based on declared income bands
0 declared activities
5 board memberships
Board member, Nacionālā apvienība Visu Latvijai!-Tēvzemei un Brīvībai/LNNKUnpaidBoard
Board member, Eiropas Kustība LatvijāUnpaidBoard
Member, NGO Atlantijas Padome (Atlantic Council)UnpaidBoard
Advisory council member, Latvijas Ārpolitikas Institūts (The Latvian Institute o…UnpaidBoard
Senior member, Eiropas līderu tīkls (European Leadership Network)UnpaidBoard
Source: European Parliament declarations · Self-reported · Last updated: 23 Mar 2026
View original declaration on europarl.europa.eu →Events and gifts declared to the Parliament
Self-declared by the MEP, 10th term (since July 2024)
These lists link to declarations Rihards KOLS made to the European Parliament. They are self-declared by the MEP, and the linked EP document is the authoritative record. Having no declarations does not mean having no events: events paid for by EU institutions or bodies, national governments or political parties do not have to be declared, and a declaration can be missing or filed late.
Events paid for by third parties (self-declared)
- 24 Feb 2026Declaration (PDF) ↗
- 26 Oct 2025Declaration (PDF) ↗
- 18 May 2025Declaration (PDF) ↗
- 13 May 2025Declaration (PDF) ↗
- 10 Nov 2024Declaration (PDF) ↗
- 30 Sept 2024Declaration (PDF) ↗
- 1 Sept 2024Declaration (PDF) ↗
Gifts notified to the President (self-declared)
No entries for this MEP in the Parliament's register of gifts ↗ for this term.
All filings: Rihards KOLS's declarations on europarl.europa.eu ↗
Source: European Parliament website (MEP declarations; Register of gifts) · declarations retrieved 30 Sept 2026 · register retrieved 30 Sept 2026. What is listed
Recent Lobby Meetings
Meetings disclosed on the EU Transparency Register. These meetings are self-declared by MEPs. Not every MEP publishes meeting declarations, so a missing entry is not evidence that no meeting took place. A disclosed meeting is a recorded contact, not evidence that it influenced a vote.
21 Oct 2026Mission of China to the EUForeign Affairs · Member
20 Oct 2026ICEYE OySpace policy · Member
20 Oct 2026Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the EUForeign Affairs · Member
16 Oct 2026Mission of Canada to the EUECF · Shadow rapporteur ·2025/0555(COD)
15 Oct 2026EPPA SARoHS · Member
7 Oct 2026AJC Transatlantic Instituteforeign affairs · Member
29 Sept 2026Taipei Representative Office in the EU and BelgiumForeign affairs · Member
28 Sept 2026Rail BalticGeneral matters · Member
Meetings on legislative files
Declared meetings that name a file, the recorded role on that file, and the plenary roll-call, in date order.
1 meeting on 1 file
These meetings are self-declared by MEPs. Not every MEP publishes meeting declarations, so a missing entry is not evidence that no meeting took place. A disclosed meeting is a recorded contact, not evidence that it influenced a vote.
Source: European Parliament meeting declarations · EU Transparency Register · HowTheyVote.eu / EP roll-call · EP Open Data Portal (roles) · How we match meetings to files
Parliamentary questions
Written questions to the Commission, the Council and other EU bodies, 10th term (since July 2024)
38written and priority questions as author or co-author
Written 31 · Priority 7 · 35 co-authored
Latest 10
- 28 Sept 2026Removal of the European Commission logo from the Second Ventotene conference programme following Taiwan’s participationWritten question E-003900/2026To the Commissionco-authored with 14Awaiting answerQuestion ↗PDF ↗
- 14 Sept 2026Circular Economy Act: regulatory barriers to secondary raw materialsWritten question E-003654/2026To the Commissionco-authored with 29Awaiting answerQuestion ↗PDF ↗
- 22 Jun 2026VP/HR remarks on IsraelPriority question P-002573/2026To the Vice-President / High Representativeco-authored with 2Answered 5 Aug 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 18 Jun 2026Human trafficking and human rights violations through recruitment of non-Russian nationals, in particular from Africa, for Russia’s war of aggression in UkraineWritten question E-002532/2026To the Vice-President / High Representativeco-authored with 27Answered 6 Aug 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 2 Jun 2026Reports of the Palestinian Authority’s continuing ‘pay-for-slay’ schemeWritten question E-002235/2026To the Commissionco-authored with 8Answered 3 Sept 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 13 May 2026Detailed criteria, data sources and methodology for Member State classification under the Migration Pact solidarity mechanism (2)Written question E-001990/2026To the CommissionAnswered 31 Jul 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 8 May 2026Export of alumina from a Member State entering the Russian military supply chainWritten question E-001908/2026To the Commissionco-authored with 18Answered 29 Jul 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 14 Apr 2026Re-examination of EU humanitarian funding to the West Bank, Gaza and LebanonWritten question E-001502/2026To the Commissionco-authored with 20Answered 23 Jun 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 8 Apr 2026Transparency of EU humanitarian funding to the West Bank, Gaza and LebanonWritten question E-001435/2026To the Commissionco-authored with 21Answered 5 Jun 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 6 Feb 2026Detailed criteria, data sources and methodology for Member State classification under Migration Pact solidarity mechanismWritten question E-000500/2026To the CommissionAnswered 19 Jun 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
Show all 38 questionsShow fewer
- 3 Feb 2026Ensuring patient safety for all Europeans: the need to establish a warning system for disqualified medical professionalsWritten question E-000428/2026To the Commissionco-authored with 24Answered 27 Mar 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 23 Jan 2026Alleged use of chemical agent on protesters in Georgia in 2024Written question E-000267/2026To the Vice-President / High Representativeco-authored with 19Answered 1 Apr 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 19 Jan 2026European funding for universities that terminate cooperation with Israeli counterpartsWritten question E-000187/2026To the Commissionco-authored with 18Answered 27 Mar 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 8 Dec 2025EU-based banks, including Raiffeisen and UniCredit, still operate in Russia, raising concerns about sanctions circumvention and undermining EU credibilityWritten question E-004854/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 37Answered 16 Mar 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 8 Dec 2025Europol cooperation with Hezbollah-linked Hind Rajab FoundationWritten question E-004852/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 5Answered 23 Mar 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 24 Nov 2025The use of Georgian refineries to evade EU sanctions on Russian oil exportsWritten question E-004675/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 24Answered 2 Feb 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 18 Nov 2025Safeguarding small and medium-sized enterprises support in the next EU budgetPriority question P-004591/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 5Answered 5 Jan 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 6 Nov 2025Risk of diverting Erasmus+ from its European vocationWritten question E-004395/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 26Answered 7 Jan 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 2 Oct 2025Russian jets violating Estonian airspacePriority question P-003855/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 17Answered 4 Dec 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 29 Sept 2025Russian drones violating Poland’s airspacePriority question P-003780/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 30Answered 4 Nov 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 22 Sept 2025Violence against the Druze in Suwayda and the EU’s stance on the Syrian transitional authoritiesWritten question E-003648/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 11Answered 23 Jan 2026Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 1 Sept 2025European Court of Auditors special report 11/2025 on Transparency of EU funding granted to NGOsWritten question E-003339/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 57Answered 25 Nov 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 18 Jul 2025Electoral integrity in AlbaniaWritten question E-003005/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 5Answered 28 Aug 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 18 Jul 2025Rule of law in AlbaniaWritten question E-003004/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 4Answered 8 Sept 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 18 Jul 2025Unspent and uncommitted cohesion policy funds by Member State in the context of proposal 2025/0103(COD)Written question E-003003/2025To the CommissionAnswered 19 Sept 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 30 May 2025Influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in the EUPriority question P-002185/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 36Answered 28 Jul 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 28 May 2025Recognition of expenses for demography as investment for budgetary balanceWritten question E-002128/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 41Answered 5 Sept 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 22 May 2025EU funding of the Palestinian AuthorityWritten question E-002057/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 16Answered 17 Jul 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 26 Mar 2025Redirecting frozen Russian assets to UkraineWritten question E-001278/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 25Answered 19 May 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 19 Mar 2025Seizing the Russian shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea: the Commission’s measures to prevent vessel salesWritten question E-001174/2025To the Vice-President / High Representativeco-authored with 60Answered 29 Jul 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 25 Feb 2025Countering Russian influence and defending democracy in GeorgiaWritten question E-000837/2025To the Vice-President / High Representativeco-authored with 38Answered 3 Apr 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 6 Feb 2025Safeguarding European industry: confronting the European Green Deal’s economic and industrial consequences within the framework of the Competitiveness CompassWritten question E-000553/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 30Answered 5 May 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 5 Feb 2025Financial support for Georgian civil society and independent mediaWritten question E-000508/2025To the Vice-President / High Representativeco-authored with 5Answered 28 Apr 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 27 Jan 2025Commission funding to environmental NGOs to condition the views of Members of the European ParliamentWritten question E-000357/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 64Answered 5 May 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 16 Jan 2025Mediterranean Pact and the situation of Christians in the regionPriority question P-000187/2025To the Commissionco-authored with 19Answered 28 Mar 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 16 Dec 2024The environmental hazard posed to the Baltic Sea by Russia’s shadow fleetWritten question E-002971/2024To the Commissionco-authored with 17Answered 28 Feb 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 16 Oct 2024Fund for the protection and development of the frontier regions of countries bordering Ukraine, Belarus and RussiaWritten question E-002090/2024To the Commissionco-authored with 36Answered 10 Jan 2025Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
- 19 Aug 2024EU funding of physical border protection structures such as walls, fences or other barriersPriority question P-001520/2024To the Commissionco-authored with 24Answered 1 Oct 2024Question ↗PDF ↗Answer ↗Answer PDF ↗
Source: European Parliament Open Data Portal · CC BY 4.0 · retrieved from the EP 31 Oct 2026 · newest question tabled 26 Oct 2026. The Parliament publishes a question about one to two weeks after it is tabled, so the newest may not be listed yet. What is counted
About Rihards KOLS
Rihards Kols is a Member of the European Parliament for Latvia, belonging to the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), the right-wing Eurosceptic group, and to the national party Nacionālā apvienība "Visu Latvijai!" - "Tēvzemei un Brīvībai/LNNK". Before joining the European Parliament, Kols was Member of Parliament, Saeima of the Republic of Latvia, from 2014 to 2024, and Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee, Saeima of the Republic of Latvia, from 2018 to 20/06/2024. Earlier, from 11/2014 to 07/2015, Kols served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Office of Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia. Since 05/12/2017, Kols has held the office of Deputy Chairman, National Alliance (political party).
Summary grounded in cited sources
View official profile on europarl.europa.eu →More MEPs from Latvia
More MEPs in European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR)
Methodology
Attendance is calculated based on roll-call votes in plenary sessions of the European Parliament. Committee votes are excluded. Abstaining counts as present; not voting counts as absent. Sittings for which the Parliament officially excused a Member (Rule 162: illness, serious family reasons, official mission, or pregnancy and maternity leave, which the Parliament excuses for three months before and six months after a birth) are credited, not counted as absences. We credit only what the Parliament's own record shows: the “excused” list in each sitting's minutes, or leave documented in another official Parliament document. An absence the Parliament has not recorded as excused counts as an absence, even if leave has been reported in the press. Notable votes are selected based on significance, close outcomes, and high participation.
Some attendance figures carry a context note, such as maternity or parental leave, illness or an official mission. Each note cites a press or official report, with its source and date, and is reviewed by us before it appears. Context notes never change the attendance figure. MEPs who missed every sitting of an entire plenary session are checked by a person before they appear in any bottom-of-ranking list. Full attendance methodology →