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.

President of Latvia Andris Berzins: the up-coming referendum is a consequence of political instability and economic problems

Opinion poll: Russian language will not become state language in Latvia no matter the results of the referendum

The President of Latvia Andris Berzins sent an open letter to the Saeima’s Speaker Solvita Aboltina, the Prime Minister Valdis Dombovskis and the Parliament’s factions criticizing principles of good governance in Latvia. The President called the MPs to search for common issues among political parties and among ethnic minorities living in the country. The President stated that there is lack of constructive co-operation between the political parties and it hinders development of the state. The President stated that the up-coming referendum on the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia is a consequence of political instability and economic problems.

The President of Latvia Andris Berzins sent an open letter to the Saeimas Speaker Solvita Aboltina, the Prime Minister Valdis Dombovskis and the Parliaments factions criticizing principles of good governance in Latvia. The President called the MPs to search for common issues among political parties and among ethnic minorities living in the country. The President stated that there is lack of constructive co-operation between the political parties and it hinders development of the state. The President stated that the up-coming referendum on the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia is a consequence of political instability and economic problems. Latvijas Avize, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Diena

According to an opinion poll conducted by the web site of the newspaper

According to an opinion poll conducted by the web site of the newspaper Chas on the possible results of the referendum, the majority of respondents believe that Russian language will not become state language in Latvia no matter the results of the referendum. 31% of the respondents believe that the referendum will change nothing, 27% believe that Russian will not become state language even if majority of citizens will support the referendum, 23% believe that Russian will become state language, and 19% believe that there are issues in the country which are more important than language issues. As reported, the national referendum on the Constitutional amendments granting Russian language status of a state language in Latvia will be conducted on 18 February.