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 government coalition factions council Monday authorised Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK party to inform Social Democrats that the ruling coalition regards the combination of the three ruling coalition parties and Social Democrats as the most optimal on the Riga city council.

The government coalition factions council Monday authorised Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK party to inform Social Democrats that the ruling coalition regards the combination of the three ruling coalition parties and Social Democrats as the most optimal on the Riga city council.

The first discussions among the parties show that it will not be possible to form the position in Riga City Council without Social Democrats. However, Social Democrats did not accept the proposal of FF/LNNK to form a coalition of Social Democrats and three ruling right wing parties. LWSD party leader G.Bojars said that “we will find one main partner and let other parties to take part in decision taking”. Social Democrats will also have their candidate for the post of mayor, although they have not named anyone particular.

The first discussions among the parties show that it will not be possible to form the position in Riga City Council without Social Democrats. However, Social Democrats did not accept the proposal of FF/LNNK to form a coalition of Social Democrats and three ruling right wing parties. LWSD party leader G.Bojars said that we will find one main partner and let other parties to take part in decision taking. Social Democrats will also have their candidate for the post of mayor, although they have not named anyone particular. Diena

The fact that Social Democrats obtained positive results at the election not only in Riga, but also in the countryside shows that people believe and voted for the ideas of Social Democrats and not so much for the personalities on Social Democrats lists. However, the candidates for the posts of mayors mostly come from the lists of People’s party and LW. On average Social Democrats have won 2-3 seats at municipalities, including Ventspils municipality where Social Democrats have one seat and where previously ruled exclusively the list of Ventspils mayor A.Lembergs.

The fact that Social Democrats obtained positive results at the election not only in Riga, but also in the countryside shows that people believe and voted for the ideas of Social Democrats and not so much for the personalities on Social Democrats lists. However, the candidates for the posts of mayors mostly come from the lists of Peoples party and LW. On average Social Democrats have won 2-3 seats at municipalities, including Ventspils municipality where Social Democrats have one seat and where previously ruled exclusively the list of Ventspils mayor A.Lembergs. Diena, Neatkariga

Neatkariga

sees only one possible coalition at Riga City Council – FF/LNNK, Social Democrats, Peoples Party and LW. The leader of Social Democrats said that the first discussion session with FF/LNNK was very promising and social democrats agreement to co-operate with FF/LNNK is of high probability. Peoples Party leader A.Skele is ready to join the coalition with Social Democrats. sees only one possible coalition at Riga City Council – FF/LNNK, Social Democrats, People’s Party and LW. The leader of Social Democrats said that the first discussion session with FF/LNNK was very promising and social democrats agreement to co-operate with FF/LNNK is of “high probability”. People’s Party leader A.Skele is ready to join the coalition with Social Democrats. Already before the election results were announced State Chancellery head M.Bondars informed about resigning from the post. M.Bondars is 44th on FF/LNNK list, however, he hopes that he is elected.

Already before the election results were announced State Chancellery head M.Bondars informed about resigning from the post. M.Bondars is 44th on FF/LNNK list, however, he hopes that he is elected. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Chas

Latvijas Vestnesis

interviews Central Electorate chairman A.Cimdars. When asked to give his judgement about the election, A.Cimdars says that the election were more colourful than the previous ones. Three types of the problems were established. First, violations of the Election Law, such as, the missing lists in Majori, one citizen cast vote without presenting the act of the Land Book and one person who is not a citizen cast vote at one of Riga polling districts. The second type of the problems relates to people dissatisfaction with the requirements of the law, such as, people asked why political campaigns were still aired on the day of election, however, it is the competence of the legislators. And the third problem – on the contrary to the last election, people showed very big interest in the pre-election materials, but as the last time a lot of complaints was received for wasting money on these materials, this time there was a shortage of them. The positive things about the election are that almost everywhere people had a choice of different candidate lists and that the turnout of the election was good. interviews Central Electorate chairman A.Cimdars. When asked to give his judgement about the election, A.Cimdars says that the election were more “colourful” than the previous ones. Three types of the problems were established. First, violations of the Election Law, such as, the missing lists in Majori, one citizen cast vote without presenting the act of the Land Book and one person who is not a citizen cast vote at one of Riga polling districts. The second type of the problems relates to people dissatisfaction with the requirements of the law, such as, people asked why political campaigns were still aired on the day of election, however, it is the competence of the legislators. And the third problem – on the contrary to the last election, people showed very big interest in the pre-election materials, but as the last time a lot of complaints was received for wasting money on these materials, this time there was a shortage of them. The positive things about the election are that almost everywhere people had a choice of different candidate lists and that the turnout of the election was good. Yesterday the CoM Committee adopted the draft of the directive providing that all Russia’s citizens travelling by train through Latvia in transit will have to have transit visas. The decision was justified with the recent actions of Russia’s national bolshevists who entered Latvia travelling by train in transit. It should be noted that it will generate a serious profit in the state budget as Russia’s trains are daily routing in the territory of Latvia.

Yesterday the CoM Committee adopted the draft of the directive providing that all Russias citizens travelling by train through Latvia in transit will have to have transit visas. The decision was justified with the recent actions of Russias national bolshevists who entered Latvia travelling by train in transit. It should be noted that it will generate a serious profit in the state budget as Russias trains are daily routing in the territory of Latvia. Chas, Latvijas Vestnesis, Respublika

The leaders of the parties give their opinions about the results of the election. All of them agree that the results are the evidence that the people of Latvia want to change something. FF/LNNK chairman M.Grinblats is satisfied with results and thinks that the positive results in Riga were received thanks to A.Argalis. Prime Minister A.Berzins says that the election results for Latvia’s Way are satisfactory and also comes to conclusion that the personalities of candidates played important role. Ventspils’ Mayor A.Lembergs states that the society went for the leftists because the ruling parties have realised unsuccessful economical policy.

The leaders of the parties give their opinions about the results of the election. All of them agree that the results are the evidence that the people of Latvia want to change something. FF/LNNK chairman M.Grinblats is satisfied with results and thinks that the positive results in Riga were received thanks to A.Argalis. Prime Minister A.Berzins says that the election results for Latvias Way are satisfactory and also comes to conclusion that the personalities of candidates played important role. Ventspils Mayor A.Lembergs states that the society went for the leftists because the ruling parties have realised unsuccessful economical policy. Neatkariga

Last week the Saeima turned down the proposal of FHRUL to ratify the Framework Convention on National Minority Rights not only because Latvia is not able to implement the requirements of the Convention, but also, because the term national minority is not defined in any regulations, laws or conventions.

Last week the Saeima turned down the proposal of FHRUL to ratify the Framework Convention on National Minority Rights not only because Latvia is not able to implement the requirements of the Convention, but also, because the term national minority is not defined in any regulations, laws or conventions. Lauku Avize gives the explanation of the term in the United States and some western countries. Latvia has tried to define the term and there are two main approaches – one suggests to include in the term only citizens of other nationalities; the other states that the term should be applied to both citizens and non-citizens if they are of other nationalities. Another firmer approach is that a national minority term should be applied to those nationalities which do not have their own country, such as, Romanians, or nationalities, which have lived in Latvia for centuries, such as Polish, Lithuanians also a part of Russians. In fact, Latvia should not rush with the ratification, as some member states of the EU have not ratified it either.

Yesterday FHRUL distributed a short thank you- analytical note for people who voted for FHRUL signed by J.Jurkans, T.Zdanok and A.Rubiks.

Yesterday FHRUL distributed a short thank you- analytical note for people who voted for FHRUL signed by J.Jurkans, T.Zdanok and A.Rubiks. Chas, Panorama Latvii

Chas

writes that the most possible coalition is FF/LNNK, Social Democrats, LW and Green Party. In newspapers opinion FHRUL and Peoples Party are not in such favourable conditions. The reproaches and attacks of Peoples Party leader A.Skele to Social Democrats in 1997 and 1998 are not forgotten and co-operation between the two parties is possible only if A.Skele apologises in public. Also Social Democrats are in a tricky situation – it is almost impossible that they form coalition with FHRUL, however, if they form a coalition with FF/LNNK and LW, Social Democrats will have to take a part of responsibility for their deeds when comes Saeima election. writes that the most possible coalition is FF/LNNK, Social Democrats, LW and Green Party. In newspaper’s opinion FHRUL and People’s Party are not in such favourable conditions. The reproaches and attacks of People’s Party leader A.Skele to Social Democrats in 1997 and 1998 are not forgotten and co-operation between the two parties is possible only if A.Skele apologises in public. Also Social Democrats are in a tricky situation – it is almost impossible that they form coalition with FHRUL, however, if they form a coalition with FF/LNNK and LW, Social Democrats will have to take a part of responsibility for their deeds when comes Saeima election. The members of FHRUL say, “One more election and all politicians will speak Russian and not with the aim to attract Russian-speaking voters but because the political situation in the country will change”. The most popular persons of FHRUL are satisfied with the results and are ready to co-operate with any political powers.

The members of FHRUL say, One more election and all politicians will speak Russian and not with the aim to attract Russian-speaking voters but because the political situation in the country will change. The most popular persons of FHRUL are satisfied with the results and are ready to co-operate with any political powers. Vesti Segodnja

Vesti Segodnja

writes that the loss of LW at the municipal election is the beginning of the governmental crisis. In any case the result for LW will be the loss of power - if LW is invited to co-operate with Social Democrats and FF/LNNK at Riga City Council, it is just an additional headache for them as thus LW betrays their ideological partners Peoples Party which do not have any hopes to be in the coalition, but if LW stays in the opposition at Riga Council, then the close co-operation of FF/LNNK with Social Democrats will be not only at Riga Council but also at the Saeima. After the fall of the Government there are two solutions for the right wing parties. First, LW and Peoples Party invites FHRUL to form the government and thus their loss at the next Saeima election is definite. Another solution – form the coalition which could be like the forecasted coalition at Riga Council – Social Democrats, FF/LNNK and LW, however, in that case LW will not be given very important posts. This solution does not satisfy all parties of 7th Saeima and in this case it is better to start from the scratch, that is, extraordinary Saeima elections. writes that the loss of LW at the municipal election is the beginning of the governmental crisis. In any case the result for LW will be the loss of power - if LW is invited to co-operate with Social Democrats and FF/LNNK at Riga City Council, it is just “an additional headache for them” as thus LW betrays their ideological partners People’s Party which do not have any hopes to be in the coalition, but if LW stays in the opposition at Riga Council, then the close co-operation of FF/LNNK with Social Democrats will be not only at Riga Council but also at the Saeima. After the fall of the Government there are two solutions for the right wing parties. First, LW and People’s Party invites FHRUL to form the government and thus their loss at the next Saeima election is definite. Another solution – form the coalition which could be like the forecasted coalition at Riga Council – Social Democrats, FF/LNNK and LW, however, in that case LW will not be given very important posts. This solution does not satisfy all parties of 7th Saeima and in this case it is better to start from the scratch, that is, extraordinary Saeima elections. Saeima deputy social democrat I.Burvis says that the victory of Social Democrats is “development of our success”, however, he admits that it is possible that Social Democrats will be in the opposition if 3 ruling parties are able to come to an agreement. I.Burvis says that in fact they were hoping for 20-22 seats at Riga Council. In regard to the possibility to co-operate with FHRUL he says, “never say never”.

Saeima deputy social democrat I.Burvis says that the victory of Social Democrats is development of our success, however, he admits that it is possible that Social Democrats will be in the opposition if 3 ruling parties are able to come to an agreement. I.Burvis says that in fact they were hoping for 20-22 seats at Riga Council. In regard to the possibility to co-operate with FHRUL he says, never say never. Panorama Latvii.