• Enterprise Buvniecibas ABC has appealed in the Administrative Regional Court the decision of the Consumers Rights Protection Centre to punish the enterprise for discriminating advertisement

Owner of an enterprise “Buvniecibas ABC” has appealed in the Administrative Regional Court the decision of the Consumers Rights Protection Centre to punish the enterprise for discriminating advertisement. As reported, in April, the Centre for the Protection of Consumer Rights has fined “Buvniecibas ABC” in amount of LVL 5,000 (EUR 7,144) for discriminating advertisement which shows a dark-skinned man who in broken Latvian says “I to want building yours house” and the text behind the advertisement says “All for construction and repair work but foreign labour force.” Author of the advertisement, advertising agency Inorek&Grey; has stated that the aim of the advertisement is to actualise the problem of influx of illegal labour force to Latvia.

Owner of an enterprise Buvniecibas ABC has appealed in the Administrative Regional Court the decision of the Consumers Rights Protection Centre to punish the enterprise for discriminating advertisement. As reported, in April, the Centre for the Protection of Consumer Rights has fined Buvniecibas ABC in amount of LVL 5,000 (EUR 7,144) for discriminating advertisement which shows a dark-skinned man who in broken Latvian says I to want building yours house and the text behind the advertisement says All for construction and repair work but foreign labour force. Author of the advertisement, advertising agency Inorek&Grey has stated that the aim of the advertisement is to actualise the problem of influx of illegal labour force to Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

• Kulturas Diena features an interview with Fleming Rose, journalist of the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten which posted several cartoons portraying the Prophet Mohamed in 2005

Kulturas Diena features an interview with Fleming Rose, a Danish journalist, author and the current cultural editor at the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten which posted several cartoons portraying the Prophet Mohamed in 2005. Fleming Rose has taken part in a presentation of documentary films about democracy held in Riga. Mr. Rose considers that publication of cartoons has affected a fundamental issue: how would representatives of various religions and non-believers co-exist in multicultural society without compromising fundamental democratic values. Mr. Rose believes that the time has come to launch the discussions on whether some values in a democracy should not be a matter of compromise

• Most popular parties in Latvia: the Concord Centre, the New Era, the Union of Greens and Farmers
• Telegraf reports about a discussion on attraction of foreign labour force to Latvia
• Latvijas Avize prints an article by a member of the nationalistic party All for Latvia! Janis Iesalnieks about nationalism in Latvia

According to the latest public opinion survey held by the market and social research company Latvijas fakti, the Concord Centre is the most popular party in Latvia – 11 % of Latvian citizens would vote for it if the Saeimas elections were held now. The New Era is supported by 8,4 % of citizens, the Union of Greens and Farmers by 7,3 %, and the Peoples party by 7,2 %. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

Telegraf reports about a discussion on attraction of labour force to Latvia held in Riga. The new Minister of Economics Kaspars Gerhards has supported attraction of foreign labour force to Latvia with several reservations such as bringing specialists for specific work and for particular time period as well as inviting highly qualified specialists. Other participants of the discussion consider that Latvia should use internal human resources more effectively, for instance prisoners.

Latvijas Avize prints an article by a member of the nationalistic party All for Latvia! Janis Iesalnieks about nationalism in Latvia. According to Mr. Iesalnieks, it is wrong to associate Latvian nationalists with racists and skinheads. Mr. Iesalnieks believes that Latvian nationalists have ‘healthy nationalism without overstatements and extremes because they love their nation and strive to ensure its authority and development in its historical settlement.

• Inspectors of the State Language Centre have drawn up 64 administrative protocols to fire-fighters for insufficient usage of state language at work
• Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris: Latvia should not avoid external discussions about its problems or experience in human right issues

 During the inspections in the State Fire and Rescue Service in November and December, inspectors of the State Language Centre have drawn up 64 administrative protocols for insufficient usage of state language at work.

During the inspections in the State Fire and Rescue Service in November and December, inspectors of the State Language Centre have drawn up 64 administrative protocols for insufficient usage of state language at work. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize reports about a conference held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on aims of Latvian foreign policy, interests and image of the country abroad. Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris has stated that Latvia should not avoid international discussions about its problems or experience in human right issues.

• Saeima has approved a new Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis and a new government
• Saeima refused to grant the Orthodox Christmas status of public holiday

Newspapers report that yesterday, the Saeima has approved a new government and Ivars Godmanis (Union of Latvia’s Way and Latvia’s First Party) as a Prime Minister. According to the government’s declaration, one of the urgent assignments of the new government is elaboration and implementation of new migration and employment policy stipulating quotas for influx of temporary labour force in particular spheres from those countries with which Latvia will have an agreement on mutual migration.

Newspapers report that yesterday, the Saeima has approved a new government and Ivars Godmanis (Union of Latvias Way and Latvias First Party) as a Prime Minister. According to the governments declaration, one of the urgent assignments of the new government is elaboration and implementation of new migration and employment policy stipulating quotas for influx of temporary labour force in particular spheres from those countries with which Latvia will have an agreement on mutual migration. Diena, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, NRA

Yesterday, the Saeima has refused a proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to grant the Orthodox Christmas (7-8 January) status of public holiday.

Yesterday, the Saeima has refused a proposal of the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia to grant the Orthodox Christmas (7-8 January) status of public holiday. Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf