• Opinion poll: 62,7% Latvian citizens will take part in the referendum on 18 February
• Researcher Marija Golobeva: part of responsibility of escalation of ethnic tensions in Latvia lies on the ex-Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte

According to an opinion poll conducted by Latvijas Fakti in January, 62,7% Latvian citizens will take part in the referendum on the Constitutional amendments on granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia on 18 February. 28% of those who will take part in the referendum are planning to support the initiative, while 62,4% will vote against it. 87,1% of ethnic Latvian respondents stated that they will vote against the initiative and 6,3% for. 73,2% of ethnic non-Latvian respondents stated that they will vote for the initiative and 10,2% against. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Chas prints an interview with a researcher of the Centre for Public Policy Providus Marija Golobeva on ethnic tensions in Latvia. Ms Golubeva criticizes ex-Minister of Culture Sarmite Elerte for the new integration program. Ms Golubeva states that civil society organisations which were chosen to take part in the process of elaboration of the program could not impact its content. Instead of inviting the candidates nominated by the ethnic minorities NGOs to the council on the programs elaboration, the Ministry picked the organisations on its own. And the attitude of the Minister Elerte was such as you can discuss the program but we already made a political choice and will follow it. Ms Golobeva also believes that part of responsibility of escalation of ethnic tensions in Latvia between ethnic Russians and ethnic Latvians lies on Sarmite Elerte and settings of the integration program.