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
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

8 November 2002

Yesterday the extraordinary Saeima’s session gave a vote of confidence to  Einars Repse's new government which will consist of the New Era, the Latvian First Party, the Union of Greens and Farmers and FF/LNNK. 55 deputies voted for the new government, 43 against and one abstained. No debate on the new government followed Repse's address to the Parliament. The Saeima approved the government with no candidates for two ministerial posts - the Integration Minister and Welfare Minister. It is planned that Prime Minister Einars Repse will assume the duties of the Welfare Minister, whereas Ainars Bastiks, Minister for Children’s and Family Matters, will temporarily take on the duties of the Societal Integration Minister. The New Era is represented in the government by Prime Minister Einars Repse, Finance Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, Interior Minister Maris Gulbis, Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis, Justice Minister Aivars Aksenoks, Culture Minister Inguna Ribena, and two state ministers - State Minister for Health Care Affairs Aris Auders and State Minister for Regional Development and Local Government Affairs Ivars Gaters. The New Era nominated Sandra Kalniete as Foreign Affairs Minister despite the fact that she is not a member of any party. The Latvian First Party is represented by Ainars Slesers - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Juris Lujans, and two state ministers - Ainars Bastiks - Minister for Child and Family Matters and a Societal Integration Minister not yet selected. The Union of Greens and Farmers is represented by Minister of Agriculture Martins Roze, Minister for Environment Raimonds Vejonis but their candidate for the welfare minister will be nominated in the near future.  FF/LNNK is represented by Minister of Defense Girts Valdis Kristovskis and Transport Minister Roberts Zile.

Yesterday the extraordinary Saeimas session gave a vote of confidence to Einars Repse's new government which will consist of the New Era, the Latvian First Party, the Union of Greens and Farmers and FF/LNNK. 55 deputies voted for the new government, 43 against and one abstained. No debate on the new government followed Repse's address to the Parliament. The Saeima approved the government with no candidates for two ministerial posts - the Integration Minister and Welfare Minister. It is planned that Prime Minister Einars Repse will assume the duties of the Welfare Minister, whereas Ainars Bastiks, Minister for Childrens and Family Matters, will temporarily take on the duties of the Societal Integration Minister. The New Era is represented in the government by Prime Minister Einars Repse, Finance Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, Interior Minister Maris Gulbis, Minister of Education and Science Karlis Sadurskis, Justice Minister Aivars Aksenoks, Culture Minister Inguna Ribena, and two state ministers - State Minister for Health Care Affairs Aris Auders and State Minister for Regional Development and Local Government Affairs Ivars Gaters. The New Era nominated Sandra Kalniete as Foreign Affairs Minister despite the fact that she is not a member of any party. The Latvian First Party is represented by Ainars Slesers - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Juris Lujans, and two state ministers - Ainars Bastiks - Minister for Child and Family Matters and a Societal Integration Minister not yet selected. The Union of Greens and Farmers is represented by Minister of Agriculture Martins Roze, Minister for Environment Raimonds Vejonis but their candidate for the welfare minister will be nominated in the near future. FF/LNNK is represented by Minister of Defense Girts Valdis Kristovskis and Transport Minister Roberts Zile. Diena, Neatkariga, Rigas Balss, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii, LETA

Vechernaya Riga talks to the candidate of the Latvian First Party Aleksandrs Brandavs for the post of the Societal Integration Minister who was rejected by the Prime Minister Einars Repse because of the following reasons: Brandavs is a representative of a national minority, he belongs to the Orthodox church and was criticised by the chairperson of the Association of Latvian National Culture Organisations Rafi Haradzanjans. Brandavs expresses his incomprehension why a person who is non-Latvian could not take the post of the Societal Integration Minister.

Chas columnist Leonid Fedoseyev comments on the reasons why Prime Minister Einars Repse rejected the candidacy of Aleksandrs Brandavs for the post of the Societal Integration Minister. Fedoseyev states that he agrees that this candidacy is not the most suitable, however, Fedoseyev believes that reasons, namely, that Brandavs is a representative of a national minority, are not adequate and Einars Repse should apologise.

Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov arrives in Riga today. His delegation includes nearly 30 people, including Moscow City Council’s chairman Vladimir Platonov, Luzhkov’s deputies Vladimir Resin and Oleg Tolkachev, Moscow government’s ministers Vladimir Malyshkov and Yevgeniy Panteleyev, and others.

Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov arrives in Riga today. His delegation includes nearly 30 people, including Moscow City Councils chairman Vladimir Platonov, Luzhkovs deputies Vladimir Resin and Oleg Tolkachev, Moscow governments ministers Vladimir Malyshkov and Yevgeniy Panteleyev, and others. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Yesterday the National Library opened an exhibition “The Jewish Community in Latvia: History, Tragedy, Revival.” The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in co-operation with the museum “Jews in Latvia” and the Latvian Institute of History prepared the exhibition. The American Embassy provided financial support.

Yesterday the National Library opened an exhibition The Jewish Community in Latvia: History, Tragedy, Revival. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in co-operation with the museum Jews in Latvia and the Latvian Institute of History prepared the exhibition. The American Embassy provided financial support. Neatkariga

Jauna interviews leaders of the Peoples Party Andris Skele and FHRUL Janis Jurkans. Andris Skele comments that passing the new budget will be the first big problem for Repses government. In his opinion this government could last no longer than half a year. Janis Jurkans states that it is a very big political mistake to leave FHRUL in the opposition. His forecast is that this government will last till the end of this year.