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.

• New Year’s Address by the president of Latvia Andris Berzins

 

In the New Year’s Address, the president of Latvia Andris Berzins highlighted several achievements made by Latvia during 2012, such as the fastest growing economy among the EU, creation of new jobs and the new budget which does not foresee new cuts. He also acknowledged that the reality of Latvia is that alongside the success stories about the overcoming of the crisis, there is also greater social cleavage and certain feeling of alienation among some. Regarding the upcoming municipal elections in 2013, Mr. President emphasised that this should be a “competition” for votes which does not translate into a “fight”, and called for the parties not to “look for enemies or divide the society” into “ours” and “aliens”. Latvijas Avize