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

Diena

writes about the resolution of FF/LNNK which voices the partys criticism about the citizenship promotion campaign conducted by the Naturalisation Board. The position of FF/LNNK is not supported by Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins or minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins. Researcher Ilze Brands-Kehris believes that the resolution was adopted to attract new voters and should be considered a part of FF/LNNKs pre-election campaign. The Prime Ministers spokesperson called FF/LNNKs criticism of the support of a foreign ambassador for the campaign provincialism, of, while minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins hopes that representatives of other countries will remember that this is a pre-election time in Latvia. writes about the resolution of FF/LNNK which voices the party’s criticism about the citizenship promotion campaign conducted by the Naturalisation Board. The position of FF/LNNK is not supported by Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins or minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins. Researcher Ilze Brands-Kehris believes that the resolution was adopted to attract new voters and should be considered a part of FF/LNNK’s pre-election campaign. The Prime Minister’s spokesperson called FF/LNNK’s criticism of the support of a foreign ambassador for the campaign “provincialism,” of, while minister of Foreign Affairs Indulis Berzins hopes that representatives of other countries will remember that this is a pre-election time in Latvia.

Lauku Avize

reports on re-launching of one activity of the citizenship promotion campaign – with the financial support of the British Embassy the Naturalisation Board will continue to organise information booths about the acquisition of Latvian citizenship. The newspaper publishes in-depth information about the opening of the first information booth where British ambassador Andrew Tesoriere and head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane took part. reports on re-launching of one activity of the citizenship promotion campaign – with the financial support of the British Embassy the Naturalisation Board will continue to organise information booths about the acquisition of Latvian citizenship. The newspaper publishes in-depth information about the opening of the first information booth where British ambassador Andrew Tesoriere and head of the Naturalisation Board Eizenija Aldermane took part.

Lauku Avize

publishes the complete list of integration projects that just received support from the Society Integration Foundation. publishes the complete list of integration projects that just received support from the Society Integration Foundation. According to the data of the company SKDS for the first time the rating of FF/LNNK has dipped below the 5% barrier. Only 3.4% of Latvian citizens would vote for FF/LNNK in June. Einars Repse’s New Era party is a stable leader – the rating of the party has grown by 3% and is now 20.8%. No major changes have taken place concerning the ratings of other political parties – the New Era party is followed by FHRUL, Latvia’s Way, the People’s Party and the Social Democrats, only the Union of Latvian Farmers and Green Party has overcome the 5%barrier for the first time.

According to the data of the company SKDS for the first time the rating of FF/LNNK has dipped below the 5% barrier. Only 3.4% of Latvian citizens would vote for FF/LNNK in June. Einars Repses New Era party is a stable leader – the rating of the party has grown by 3% and is now 20.8%. No major changes have taken place concerning the ratings of other political parties – the New Era party is followed by FHRUL, Latvias Way, the Peoples Party and the Social Democrats, only the Union of Latvian Farmers and Green Party has overcome the 5%barrier for the first time. Diena, Neatkariga, Lauku Avize, Vechernaya Riga, Vesti Segodnja, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Lauku Avize

talks to political scientist and president of the Politika Foundation from the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Nikonov. He believes that the common history, explicit orientation of the Baltic states to the West, distorted perception by both parties and many foreign policy problems Russia experiences now are the major stumbling stones in building good relations between Russia and Latvia. He admits that Latvia becomes less and less interesting for Russia. talks to political scientist and president of the “Politika” Foundation from the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Nikonov. He believes that the common history, explicit orientation of the Baltic states to the West, distorted perception by both parties and many foreign policy problems Russia experiences now are the major stumbling stones in building good relations between Russia and Latvia. He admits that Latvia becomes less and less interesting for Russia.

Chas

talks to political scientist Artis Pabriks. He states that society in Latvia is not split at all and is only a myth while we are not discussing politics, everything is fine. According to Artis Pabriks the determining factor for voters is their attitude and judgement of the events in 1940 when the Soviet Union occupied Latvia. He says that FHRUL could get 20% seats in the next Saeima, however, the party will not be in the government because they themselves do not want to be in the government. Regarding education problems, Artis Pabriks states that Russians should realise that there will never be higher education in Russian funded from the state budget or secondary education only in Russian and suggests choosing education programmes according to their quality, not language. talks to political scientist Artis Pabriks. He states that society in Latvia is not split at all and is only a myth “while we are not discussing politics, everything is fine.” According to Artis Pabriks the determining factor for voters is their attitude and judgement of the events in 1940 when the Soviet Union occupied Latvia. He says that FHRUL could get 20% seats in the next Saeima, however, the party will not be in the government “because they themselves do not want to be in the government.” Regarding education problems, Artis Pabriks states that Russians should realise that there will never be higher education in Russian funded from the state budget or secondary education only in Russian and suggests choosing education programmes according to their quality, not language.

Panorama Latvii

publishes its weekly supplement Our Latvia. In todays issue there is an article about whether Russians should be considered a national minority in Latvia. publishes its weekly supplement “Our Latvia.” In today’s issue there is an article about whether Russians should be considered a national minority in Latvia.