Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Press Report

Press Report

On August 25 Prime Minister A.Berzins signed the new state language law regulations. It is planned that they would be published on Tuesday.

On August 25 Prime Minister A.Berzins signed the new state language law regulations. It is planned that they would be published on Tuesday. Respublika, Chas

Latvijas Vestnesis

published the full text of the new language law regulations. published the full text of the new language law regulations. According to SKDS data popularity of Social Democrats is increasing already for four months. Now it has reached 16,6% and Social Democrats are the most popular political party. The same happens with The New Party (3.9%) and Latvijas Cels (12.5%). It is decreasing for TB/LNNK (12.7), For Human Rights in United Latvia (6.8%) and Peoples' Party (7.9%).

According to SKDS data popularity of Social Democrats is increasing already for four months. Now it has reached 16,6% and Social Democrats are the most popular political party. The same happens with The New Party (3.9%) and Latvijas Cels (12.5%). It is decreasing for TB/LNNK (12.7), For Human Rights in United Latvia (6.8%) and Peoples' Party (7.9%). Diena, Lauku Avize, Respublika

The Newspaper

The Newspaper Neatkariga interviewed experts about the situation when for a long time the most unreliable institutions in Latvia according to the opinion polls data are the Government and Saeima, but Prime Minister A.Berzins has become the most popular politician. Experts link it with the political culture in the country and the fact that the society does not link A.Berzins with his government. Speaking about the low ratings of the Saeima and government, the experts said that there was a loyalty crisis towards authorities. Neatkariga

Senior Councillor of the US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee M.Haltzel arrived to Riga on a two day visit t collect more information on the priorities of Latvian foreign policy - joining and NATO.

Senior Councillor of the US Senate Foreign Affairs Committee M.Haltzel arrived to Riga on a two day visit t collect more information on the priorities of Latvian foreign policy - joining and NATO. Diena, Neatkariga

Attempts of the deputies of the New Party to find a compromise failed. With the votes of those deputies, who do not belong to the party any more the faction, was exchanged the faction leader. The new chairman is I.Udre, who left the faction some time ago. The Council of the New Party announced that they would assume political responsibility only for the actions of the two ministers, representing the party, and three Saeima deputies.

Attempts of the deputies of the New Party to find a compromise failed. With the votes of those deputies, who do not belong to the party any more the faction, was exchanged the faction leader. The new chairman is I.Udre, who left the faction some time ago. The Council of the New Party announced that they would assume political responsibility only for the actions of the two ministers, representing the party, and three Saeima deputies. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, Lauku Avize, Respublika, Chas

The leader of Social Democrats, speaking about the statement of A.Rubiks (FHRUL) that they would co-operate in the Riga City Council after the new municipal election, stated that the party would look for co-operation partners only after the election. Lauku Avize

The leader of Social Democrats, speaking about the statement of A.Rubiks (FHRUL) that they would co-operate in the Riga City Council after the new municipal election, stated that the party would look for co-operation partners only after the election. Lauku Avize

The faction leader of FHRUL J.Jurkans announced that the adopted language law regulations were a great victory of all left wingers, journalist, who wrote about this problem, even the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. Lauku Avize

The faction leader of FHRUL J.Jurkans announced that the adopted language law regulations were a great victory of all left wingers, journalist, who wrote about this problem, even the High Commissioner Max van der Stoel. Lauku Avize

Lauku Avize

interviewed Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins about the situation in Latvia. Speaking about the gap between the Government and society, Prime Minister said that it was not a task for one day not even 1000 to fill in this gap. A task of the government is to speak openly, explain the situation and regain the lost loyalty. When asked about the protest activities against the language law regulations of the left wingers, who had promised to organise a conference on non-violent resistance, A.Berzins explained it with the approaching election. Prime Minister stated that the task of the government was to maintain the dominant role of the Latvian language, did not make any damage to it, and also harmonise the regulations. When the journalist asked, "What would happen if Max van der Stoel wrote a new recommendation letter?" Prime Minister said that he had a feeling that the High Commissioner should not do it. If he does - let us see what is in there. But it is clear that the Latvian language is the only state language and there will be no second one. interviewed Latvian Prime Minister A.Berzins about the situation in Latvia. Speaking about the gap between the Government and society, Prime Minister said that it was not a task for one day not even 1000 to fill in this gap. A task of the government is to speak openly, explain the situation and regain the lost loyalty. When asked about the protest activities against the language law regulations of the left wingers, who had promised to organise a conference on non-violent resistance, A.Berzins explained it with the approaching election. Prime Minister stated that the task of the government was to maintain the dominant role of the Latvian language, did not make any damage to it, and also harmonise the regulations. When the journalist asked, "What would happen if Max van der Stoel wrote a new recommendation letter?" Prime Minister said that he had a feeling that the High Commissioner should not do it. If he does - let us see what is in there. But it is clear that the Latvian language is the only state language and there will be no second one. Ministry of Justice came to a conclusion that it would make pensioners to feel uncomfortable when they were on the list of persons, entitled for easements in the naturalisation process together with handicapped people, so the Government deprived them the right to reduced fees for naturalisation exams.

Ministry of Justice came to a conclusion that it would make pensioners to feel uncomfortable when they were on the list of persons, entitled for easements in the naturalisation process together with handicapped people, so the Government deprived them the right to reduced fees for naturalisation exams. Vesti Segodnya

A.Gilman writes about the different reaction of Latvians and non-Latvians towards the new language law regulations, reaction of international society to them. The last was characterised by two "devastating" letters of Max van der Stoel. What about his final statement, it most probably would be positive because the Latvian authorities have reacted to the majority of High Commissioner's recommendations.

A.Gilman writes about the different reaction of Latvians and non-Latvians towards the new language law regulations, reaction of international society to them. The last was characterised by two "devastating" letters of Max van der Stoel. What about his final statement, it most probably would be positive because the Latvian authorities have reacted to the majority of High Commissioner's recommendations. Vesti Segodnya

Yesterday the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers intended to adopt amendments to the Administrative Code concerning new fines for language law violations but, after considering it, came to a conclusion that it should be sent back to the Ministry of Justice to improve the document.

Yesterday the Committee of the Cabinet of Ministers intended to adopt amendments to the Administrative Code concerning new fines for language law violations but, after considering it, came to a conclusion that it should be sent back to the Ministry of Justice to improve the document. Chas