• Head of the Saeima’s Concord faction Janis Urbanovics: the Concord wants to become real social-democratic party composed of 60% ethnic Latvians and 40% ethnic non-Latvians
• Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics blacklisted one more famous Russia’s showman and actor

Neatkariga interviews the head of the Saeima’s Concord faction Janis Urbanovics. Commenting the past elections results, Mr Urbanovics acknowledged that the Concord lost a part of its ethnic Latvian and Russian speaking electorate. The reason, he believes, is the party’s neutral position regarding events in Ukraine because some ethnic Latvians might have wanted to see more critical position towards Russia in relation to Ukraine, others - more supportive position towards Russia’s activities. According to Mr Urbanovics, the Concord wants to become real social-democratic party and its composition would reflect ethnic proportion in Latvia – 60% of ethnic Latvians and 40% - ethnic non-Latvians. 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkevics declared one more famous Russia’s showman and actor 'persona non grata' banning him from entry to Latvia. This time, the Minister blacklisted the actor because of his statements inciting hatred towards Ukrainians and homosexuals. As reported, in July, before the opening of a musical festival “New Wave” organised by Russia’s producers, the Minister included into the “black list” three famous Russia’s pop-singers known to be public supporters of Russia’s policy towards Ukraine. Neatkariga, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya

• Employers will not be allowed to include requirements for foreign language proficiency in the labour agreements if those are not necessary for work duties

Yesterday, the Saeima supported in the final reading the draft amendments to the Labour Law. Among the other provisions, the amendments stipulate that employers are not allowed to include requirements for foreign language proficiency in the labour agreements if those are not necessary for work duties. As reported, such amendments elaborated with a view to protect job applicants from unreasonable language requirements. Currently it is also forbidden to include requirements for foreign language proficiency in the job announcements. Latvijas Avize

• Baltic Institute of Social Sciences discussed with the Saeima’s Society Consolidation Committee a study on integration of non-citizens
• Vesti Segodnya interviews well-known Russian speaking entrepreneurs about the reasons of low support to local Russian NGOs

Vesti Segodnya reports that the Baltic Institute of Social Sciences discussed with the Saeima’s Society Consolidation Committee a study on integration of non-citizens. Authors of the study concluded that status of Latvian non-citizen is connected with negative emotions and facilitates alienation from the state. Non-citizens have subjective sense of discrimination which is not connected with restrictions of social, economic, or political rights but with the status itself. Commenting the results of the study, the MP Valdis Liepins questioned whether these people understand that they were born not in the independent Latvia but in the Soviet Union. He also stated that not only non-citizens but also Russian speaking citizens are oriented towards the USSR and Russia.

Vesti Segodnya interviews well-known Russian speaking entrepreneurs in Latvia about the reasons of low support to local Russian NGOs. According to the interviewed entrepreneurs, they do not refuse sponsorship and charity but choose only those directions considered to be more important for the society or interesting personally for themselves. Some entrepreneurs think that so-called Russian projects are not so important or they do not know about such projects or fund their own projects. The entrepreneurs also are not confident that their funding will be spent properly.

• 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.

• Organisation of people with disabilities and their friends “Apeirons” implements project targeting ethnic minorities

Vesti Segodnya reports about a project “Equal in the Society” implemented by an organisation of people with disabilities and their friends “Apeirons”. One of the main target audiences of the project are ethnic minorities, especially persons with disabilities. The main aims of the project are strengthening integration of ethnic minorities, protecting their rights, monitoring the provision of the rights of the people with disabilities, promotion of welfare of this social group, and protection of democratic values. According to “Apeirons”, representatives of ethnic minorities feel most acutely lack of information about their rights, how to put those rights into use, and how to participate in public processes. Therefore, one of the project’s tasks is to ensure provision of access to information to ethnic minorities especially in Latvian regions. The project also promotes naturalisation among disabled persons non-citizens.