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 Review

Press Review

Yesterday

Yesterday the Latvian Way, For Fatherland and Freedom, and the New Party signed an agreement about formation of a governmental coalition under leadership of Vilis Kristopans. Furthermore, parties agreed to support Janis Straume (Fatherland and Freedom) for the post of the Saeima Speaker, Indulis Berzins (Latvian Way) - Deputy Saeima Speaker, Silvija Dreimane (New Party) - Saeima Secretary. Today during the first plenary session of the 7th Saeima the State President Guntis Ulmanis will name a candidate for the post of the Prime Minister. Mr. Ulmanis told journalists that the agreement of three parties would not influence his choice. Still, politicians predict that the State President will ask Vilis Kristopans to form a new government. Diena

Yesterday was the last session of the 6th Saeima. The State President Guntis Ulmanis and the Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis acknowledged accomplishments of the previous Saeima in promoting Latvia’s integration into the European Union. As most important documents both speakers named the amendments to the Citizenship Law, and the new chapter of the Constitution concerning the human rights. Commenting speeches of Mr. Ulmanis and Mr. Cepanis, SM states that the 6th Saeima has done a lot to undermine relations with Russia by, for example, adopting declarations about the occupation and Latvian legionnaires. This, however, was not mentioned by any of speakers.

Yesterday was the last session of the 6th Saeima. The State President Guntis Ulmanis and the Saeima Speaker Alfreds Cepanis acknowledged accomplishments of the previous Saeima in promoting Latvias integration into the European Union. As most important documents both speakers named the amendments to the Citizenship Law, and the new chapter of the Constitution concerning the human rights. Commenting speeches of Mr. Ulmanis and Mr. Cepanis, SM states that the 6th Saeima has done a lot to undermine relations with Russia by, for example, adopting declarations about the occupation and Latvian legionnaires. This, however, was not mentioned by any of speakers. Diena, SM

According to unofficial information at the disposal of CHAS, Russia and Israel prepare official statements concerning the declaration about the Latvian legionnaires recently adopted by the 6th Saeima.

According to unofficial information at the disposal of CHAS, Russia and Israel prepare official statements concerning the declaration about the Latvian legionnaires recently adopted by the 6th Saeima. Chas

Interest about possibilities to apply for naturalization has increased several times since the positive outcome of the 3rd October referendum, DCMA Press Secretary E. Smiltnieks told

Interest about possibilities to apply for naturalization has increased several times since the positive outcome of the 3rd October referendum, DCMA Press Secretary E. Smiltnieks told Panorama Latvii. People are more active in Riga and Daugavpils.

Rigas Balss analyzes the composition of the new Saeima. 36 of 100 deputies have been MP s of the 6th Saeima. There are 5 deputies - A. Gorbunovs, Indulis Berzins, A. Pantelejevs, Antons Seiksts, and Valdis Birkavs - who have worked in the Supreme Council, the 5th and 6th Saeimas. In comparison with the previous Saeima, there are more women, more younger people, and less foreign Latvians in the 7th Saeima. Rigas Balss