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.

Integration and Minority Information Service

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

Yesterday the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the election law lifting the language requirement for election candidates. 67 MPs supported the amendments to the parliamentary election law, while 71 voted in favor of amending the municipal election law. A majority of FF/LLNK and the Union of Social Democrats deputies voted against the amendments. Several FF/LNNK deputies did not take part in the vote – Speaker of the Saeima Janis Straume, Chairperson of the Saeima Committee for Foreign Policy Guntars Krasts and Chairperson of the Saeima Committee for Defence and Interior Affairs Dzintars Kudums. FHRUL voted in favour of lifting the language requirement but did not support the norm which stipulates that an election candidate has to provide a self-assessment of his/her state language skills. The amendments include the new stipulations concerning the stated self-assessment of language proficiency and detailed information about the candidate’s possessions, savings, and positions in NGOs, political, religious organisations and trade unions.

Yesterday the Saeima adopted in the final reading amendments to the election law lifting the language requirement for election candidates. 67 MPs supported the amendments to the parliamentary election law, while 71 voted in favor of amending the municipal election law. A majority of FF/LLNK and the Union of Social Democrats deputies voted against the amendments. Several FF/LNNK deputies did not take part in the vote – Speaker of the Saeima Janis Straume, Chairperson of the Saeima Committee for Foreign Policy Guntars Krasts and Chairperson of the Saeima Committee for Defence and Interior Affairs Dzintars Kudums. FHRUL voted in favour of lifting the language requirement but did not support the norm which stipulates that an election candidate has to provide a self-assessment of his/her state language skills. The amendments include the new stipulations concerning the stated self-assessment of language proficiency and detailed information about the candidates possessions, savings, and positions in NGOs, political, religious organisations and trade unions.

The Ambassador of the United States of America and OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus congratulated Latvia with amending the election laws.

The Ambassador of the United States of America and OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Rolf Ekeus congratulated Latvia with amending the election laws. Diena, Latvijas Vestnesis, Chas, Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Diena’s columnist Aivars Ozolins questions the suitability of two FF/LNNK deputies for their responsible posts -- Guntars Krasts, Chairperson of the Saeima Committee for Foreign Policy and Dzintars Kudums, Chairperson of the Saeima Committee for Defence and Interior Affairs -- because the two deputies abstained in the vote to remove the language requirements for election candidates. The columnist also points out that lifting the language requirement is not the only pre-condition for Latvia to join NATO. Ozolins stresses that Latvia has to focus on issues concerning corruption prevention.

Dienas columnist Aivars Ozolins questions the suitability of two FF/LNNK deputies for their responsible posts -- Guntars Krasts, Chairperson of the Saeima Committee for Foreign Policy and Dzintars Kudums, Chairperson of the Saeima Committee for Defence and Interior Affairs -- because the two deputies abstained in the vote to remove the language requirements for election candidates. The columnist also points out that lifting the language requirement is not the only pre-condition for Latvia to join NATO. Ozolins stresses that Latvia has to focus on issues concerning corruption prevention.

Diena

publishes the results of the social opinion polls about parties ratings conducted by two different companies – SKDS and Latvijas Fakti. New Era headed by Einars Repse is the leader in both opinion polls, followed by Latvias Way in the poll conducted by SKDS and FHRUL in the poll conducted by Latvijas Fakti. Latvias Way is the third most popular party according to the poll conducted by Latvijas Fakti, while FHRUL is only the fourth most popular party in the opinion poll by SKDS. SKDS included in its poll also Daugavpils Mayor Rihards Eigims party Latgales Light. The party received support from 2% of respondents. publishes the results of the social opinion polls about parties’ ratings conducted by two different companies – “SKDS” and “Latvijas Fakti.” New Era headed by Einars Repse is the leader in both opinion polls, followed by Latvia’s Way in the poll conducted by SKDS and FHRUL in the poll conducted by “Latvijas Fakti.” Latvia’s Way is the third most popular party according to the poll conducted by “Latvijas Fakti,” while FHRUL is only the fourth most popular party in the opinion poll by “SKDS.” “SKDS” included in its poll also Daugavpils Mayor Rihards Eigims’ party Latgales Light. The party received support from 2% of respondents.

Jauna

interviews outgoing Director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa. She stresses that the rules of the market and the experience of multilingual democratic countries do not apply in Latvia due to countrys specific historical background. Regarding the State Language Centre Hirsa states that there is one job which remains for her to be done, that is, enter amendments to the Administrative Violations Code which would clarify the responsibility of an employer regarding employees state language skills. Hirsa believes that patriotism is a very important aspect when teaching Latvian to non-Latvians. interviews outgoing Director of the State Language Centre Dzintra Hirsa. She stresses that the rules of the market and the experience of multilingual democratic countries do not apply in Latvia due to country’s specific historical background. Regarding the State Language Centre Hirsa states that there is one job which remains for her to be done, that is, enter amendments to the Administrative Violations Code which would clarify the responsibility of an employer regarding employees’ state language skills. Hirsa believes that patriotism is a very important aspect when teaching Latvian to non-Latvians.