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.

• Saei Saeima’s Committee finally supported a proposal of the nationalists’ union to suspend issuing of residence permits to Russia’s citizens
• Political consultant Jurgis Liepnieks: level of Russophobia in Latvia grows

Yesterday, the Saeima’s Defence, Internal Affairs and Corruption Prevention Committee finally supported a proposal of the nationalists’ union to suspend issuing of residence permits to Russia’s citizens in exchange for investments and purchase of expensive real estate in Latvia. This is the 10th time the National Union (NA) tried to amend the respective legislation, yet the previous nine attempts the draft amendments got turned down by the majority of the Saeima. According to the NA member, MP Dzintars Rasnacs, Russia has been named as aggressor during past months and suspension of issuing of residence permits to Russia’s citizens would be additional step joining the EU sanctions against Russia on national level. Mr Rasnacs also referred to representatives of the security services which concluded that in a distant prospect issuing of residence permits might create risks for national security. Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya interviews a political consultant Jurgis Liepnieks. According to him, level of Russophobia in Latvia grows as such nationalistic political party All for Latvia! is now represented not only in the Saeima but also in the government and it constitutes the core of the National Union.  Mr Liepnieks highlights statements made by a member of the party Edvins Snore about "repatriation" of allegedly "disloyal Latvian citizens". Mr Snore believes that the criteria for loyalty is the opinion expressed by the voters in the legitimate referendum in 2012 about granting Russian the status of second state language in Latvia. Edvins Snore was elected to the Saeima at the recent parliamentary elections. Mr Liepnieks believes that nationalism in Latvia is based on the idea of ethnically pure Latvia whereby Russians and other ethnic non-Latvians are forced out. This is also the reason why there is such attitude towards Russian language schools because there is no other rational explanation why education in these schools should be transferred into Latvian language (reform scheduled for 2018). He also believes that if the aim of the politicians is to facilitate departure of Russian residents from Latvia, liquidation of Russian language schools can become an argument for some of people.