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

The agenda of the extraordinary session of the

The agenda of the extraordinary session of the Saeima scheduled for 28 August will include the election of the President of the Bank of Latvia. Deputy-Head of the "Saimnieks" faction Ernests Jurkans said that "Saimnieks" was likely to support Mr. Repse's candidature. Previously, "Saimnieks" leaders suggested that other candidates could be nominated for the post. Major Saeima factions support Mr. Einars Repse, currently the President of the Bank of Latvia. Diena

"BIZNES & BALTIYA"

while analyzing the naturalization process points out that young non-citizens tend to be indifferent toward naturalization. Middle-aged and elderly people are more active. They either have the right for extraordinary naturalization, are former Lithuanian or Estonian citizens, or are spouses of Latvian citizens. Mandatory conscription accounts for the unwillingness to take citizenship common among the young. Other reasons include the possibility to travel easily to Russia and free university education in Russia for Russian citizens (a citizenship inset is issued by the Russian Embassy for a Ls 3 fee). Head of the Naturalization Board Mrs. Eizenija Aldermane does not believe naturalization tests to be too complicated. Still, she agrees that elderly applicants should be exempt from a written summary of a text. According to Mrs. Aldermane, the number of applicants has increased this summer. She expects a further increase this year and says that the major raise of the naturalization rate should be expected in one year when persons thirty to forty years of age will have the right to apply for citizenship. She stressed that underage children of naturalized non-citizens were granted citizenship automatically. while analyzing the naturalization process points out that young non-citizens tend to be indifferent toward naturalization. Middle-aged and elderly people are more active. They either have the right for extraordinary naturalization, are former Lithuanian or Estonian citizens, or are spouses of Latvian citizens. Mandatory conscription accounts for the unwillingness to take citizenship common among the young. Other reasons include the possibility to travel easily to Russia and free university education in Russia for Russian citizens (a citizenship inset is issued by the Russian Embassy for a Ls 3 fee). Head of the Naturalization Board Mrs. Eizenija Aldermane does not believe naturalization tests to be too complicated. Still, she agrees that elderly applicants should be exempt from a written summary of a text. According to Mrs. Aldermane, the number of applicants has increased this summer. She expects a further increase this year and says that the major raise of the naturalization rate should be expected in one year when persons thirty to forty years of age will have the right to apply for citizenship. She stressed that underage children of naturalized non-citizens were granted citizenship automatically.