• Chas and Vesti Segodnya report on a seminar Russian World in the Baltic countries: Future Visions and Space for Self-determination
• Most popular parties in October: the Concord Centre, New Era, Union of Greens and Farmers

Chas and Vesti Segodnya report on a seminar Russian World in the Baltic countries: Future Visions and Space for Self-determination held on 27 October in Riga. Academicians from Latvia and Russia, politicians and representatives of NGOs have taken part in the seminar. According to a report on political participation of Russian residents of Latvia presented by the academician Juris Rozenvalds, integration idea in Latvia is unpopular among Latvians and Russians. The head of the Institute of Social-Political Studies of the University of Latvia Nils Muiznieks has stated that Russian residents of Latvia must naturalise and to work in governmental institutions to have full-fledged engagement in political life.

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 – 12,5% of Latvian citizens would vote for it if the Saeima’s elections were held in October. The New Era is supported by 11% of citizens and the Union of Greens and Farmers by 6,4 %. Other parties, including People’s party, Latvia’s First Party and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM which compose governing coalition, are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. However, 31,5 % of respondents do not know whom they would vote for, while 17,1 % would not participate in the elections.

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 – 12,5% of Latvian citizens would vote for it if the Saeimas elections were held in October. The New Era is supported by 11% of citizens and the Union of Greens and Farmers by 6,4 %. Other parties, including Peoples party, Latvias First Party and For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM which compose governing coalition, are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. However, 31,5 % of respondents do not know whom they would vote for, while 17,1 % would not participate in the elections. Diena

• Vesti Segodnya reports on a conference Access of Non-citizens to Municipal Elections as a Stimulus for Integration and Naturalisation

Vesti Segodnya reports that representatives of Russian NGOs in Latvia are holding a conference Access of Non-citizens to Municipal Elections as a Stimulus for Integration and Naturalisation on 28 October in Liepaja. According to one of the organisers of the conference, head of the Russian Community in Liepaja Valerijs Kravcovs, Russian NGOs have prepared the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law stipulating granting non-citizens voting rights which will be submitted to the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers asking to forward it to the Saeima.

• Latvijas Avize features an interview with the director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris
• Columnist of Latvijas Avize criticizes an advice for young people given by the Employers Confederation of Latvia to learn Russian language

Latvijas Avize features an interview with Ilze Brands Kehris, the director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights. Ms. Brands Kehris criticizes the Latvian authorities for their evasive reaction to recommendations by international human rights experts. Ilze Brands Kehris believes that the Latvian officials would gain more trust if they openly acknowledged the existence of problematic issues in Latvia and explained why they would or would not address these issues. Ms. Brands Kehris argues that citizenship is an ethnic and political issue, and it is essential that foreign experts meet with people representing a variety of opinions. While acknowledging the good activities undertaken by the Secretariat of Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration she believes that its work should also be seriously evaluated.

Columnist of

Columnist of Latvijas Avize criticizes the call by the Employers Confederation of Latvia to young people to learn Russian language as it would help them find a job easier. The columnist believes that it is more important to know other foreign languages such as English, French or German as these languages are spoken in countries which respect Latvias freedom and dignity.

• Chas features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens

Chas features an interview with the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration Oskars Kastens. The Minister has stated that it is planed to form a working group on monitoring of court and pre-trial practices concerning incitement to ethnic hatred. Mr. Kastens considers that presently expertise which determines whether statements made by a person were inciting to ethnic hatred faces problems due to the lack of common approach in legal acts concerning such issues. The Minister has stated that he has appealed to the General Prosecutor of Latvia Janis Maizitis asking to evaluate the decision of the Prosecutor of the Riga Regional Court to terminate criminal proceedings against a neo-Nazi Andris Jordans who has stated at public discussion that Jews and Roma people are ‘non-humans and it would be preferable to exterminate them. Oskars Kastens believes that such statements are inappropriate. Regarding elaboration of new national integration policy concept for 2008-2018, the Minister has stated that the main aim of the draft concept is formation of civil society in Latvia and engagement of all groups of society into decision making process.

• MP Karlis Sadurskis: cooperation with the Concord Centre and FHRUL is possible for attainment of apparent and beneficial goals
• MP Dainis Turlais: Russian Culture Days are a sign of improving relations

MP Karlis Sadurskis (New Age) considers that his party might cooperate with the Concord Centre and FHRUL (parties that draw significant support from the Russian-speaking voters) for attainment of “apparent and beneficial goals”, mentioning as examples non-confidence voting in the Parliament and bringing up issues for referendum. Mr.Sadurskis stated that his party is unlikely to entrust positions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs or the Minister of Education into the hands of the Concord Centre because of very serious ideological differences on issues of education, language, non-citizens’ rights. Shall the Concord Centre be taken into a new governing coalition, it would have to explain to its voters why the Centre is taking part in a coalition dominated by different ideology.

MP Karlis Sadurskis (New Age) considers that his party might cooperate with the Concord Centre and FHRUL (parties that draw significant support from the Russian-speaking voters) for attainment of apparent and beneficial goals, mentioning as examples non-confidence voting in the Parliament and bringing up issues for referendum. Mr.Sadurskis stated that his party is unlikely to entrust positions of the Minister of Foreign Affairs or the Minister of Education into the hands of the Concord Centre because of very serious ideological differences on issues of education, language, non-citizens rights. Shall the Concord Centre be taken into a new governing coalition, it would have to explain to its voters why the Centre is taking part in a coalition dominated by different ideology. Chas

Vesti Segodnya interviewed MP Dainis Turlais (Latvias First Party / Latvias Way). Mr.Turlais believes that culture stands above politics and helps to mend relations. The Russian Culture Days held in Latvia recently are a sign of improving relations between the two countries.