Integration monitor
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.
Oct. 7, 2002
Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies
According to provisional election results, Einars Repses New Era party will get 26 seats in the parliament, the leftist For Human Rights In A United Latvia 24 seats, the Peoples Party 21 seats, the Union of Greens and Farmers 12 seats, Latvias First Party 10 seats, For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK 7seats. Latvias Way which has been in the Parliament during all 10 independence years did not overcome the 5% barrier. None of the parties considers a coalition with the New Era impossible. Leader of the New Era Einars Repse stated that his party will invite all parties except FHRUL to open discussions where he will announce his conditions of forming a government. Diena, Neatkariga, Rigas Balss, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Panorama Latvii
The Russian language press stresses that the true winner of these elections is FHRUL, as the party received 8 more seats than in the 7th Saeima elections.The Russian language press stresses that the true winner of these elections is FHRUL, as the party received 8 more seats than in the 7th Saeima elections. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf
The OSCE/ODIHR mission of election observers announced that the overall impression about the elections is very positive. The delegation suggests that Latvia abolish the restriction to run for public office for former KGB officers and supporters of communism after January 13, 1991, as well as grant non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections.The OSCE/ODIHR mission of election observers announced that the overall impression about the elections is very positive. The delegation suggests that Latvia abolish the restriction to run for public office for former KGB officers and supporters of communism after January 13, 1991, as well as grant non-citizens the right to participate in municipal elections. Diena, Chas
Telegraf
reports that on election night for more than 4 hours Latvian TV channel II discussed in the Russian language what the new government will do regarding issues important for Russian-speakers. The newspaper notes that the discussions attracted more than 200,000 viewers. reports that on election night for more than 4 hours Latvian TV channel II discussed in the Russian language what the new government will do regarding issues important for Russian-speakers. The newspaper notes that the discussions attracted more than 200,000 viewers.Telegraf
interviews Russian businessmen, chairperson of the Foundation of Civil Liberties Boris Berezovsky. His foundation aims to help Russians to preserve their identity through culture outside Russia. interviews Russian businessmen, chairperson of the Foundation of Civil Liberties Boris Berezovsky. His foundation aims to help Russians to preserve their identity through culture outside Russia. Marija Golubeva, chairman of the political science department at Riga Stradina University, expresses concern that, without Latvia’s Way in the parliament, the Social Integration programme will not be actively implemented and developed in the future, as LW had been the principal catalyst for the programme. At the same time, Golubeva expressed satisfaction that Eizenija Aldermane will remain at the helm of the Naturalization Board. While Grigorijs Krupnikovs of New Era has considerabel experience as head of the Jewish Community, he is more interested in Foreign Affairs and the party programme says little about integration issues. DienaMarija Golubeva, chairman of the political science department at Riga Stradina University, expresses concern that, without Latvias Way in the parliament, the Social Integration programme will not be actively implemented and developed in the future, as LW had been the principal catalyst for the programme. At the same time, Golubeva expressed satisfaction that Eizenija Aldermane will remain at the helm of the Naturalization Board. While Grigorijs Krupnikovs of New Era has considerabel experience as head of the Jewish Community, he is more interested in Foreign Affairs and the party programme says little about integration issues. Diena