• The MP Valerijs Agesins proposes to grant Latvian non-citizens the right to sign collective initiatives
• Ambassador of the United State of America to Latvia Mark Pekala: diversity has a great power
• MP Valerijs Agesins repeatedly received threats from the national radicals’ organisation “Tautas Tribunals”

The MP from the Concord Centre Valerijs Agesins submitted draft amendments to the Saeima’s Rules of Procedure granting Latvian non-citizens the right to sign collective legislative initiatives to be submitted to the Saeima. Presently, 10,000 signatures of Latvian citizens above the age of 16 years are required to submit a collective initiative for the revision in the Parliament. Latvijas Avize

Latvijas Avize interviews the Ambassador of the United State of America to Latvia Mark Pekala who is leaving the post. Regarding the integration process in Latvia, Mr Pekala says that such issue should be discussed and decided by Latvian residents. Mr Pekala notes that Americans believe that diversity has a great power, it is a value and a source.

Vesti Segodnya reports that the MP Valerijs Agesins (substitute of the head of the Saeima’s faction of the Concord Centre) repeatedly received threats from the national radicals’ organisation “Tautas Tribunals” (People’s Tribunal). Mr Agesins previously already has received threats to life from the leader of the organisation Linards Grantins. However, the Security police and the prosecutor’s office did not find the threats realistic. Moreover, Mr. Grantins permanently resides in Germany. The latest letter with threats and assaults received by Mr Agesins were sent recently by Mr Grantins who arrived to Latvia.

31 July 2014 

• Latvia’s Russian Union expects at least 10 seats in the new parliament 

Diena writes about the political party "Latvia’s Russian Union" (former "For Human Rights in United Latvia") and its preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections (scheduled for 4 October 2014). Representatives of "Latvia’s Russian Union" believe their party will receive at least 10 seats in the new parliament. The newspaper highlights the voters of this party tend avoid disclosing their support. The main principles of this party are basically the same as before – “to fight against ethnic discrimination, to achieve official status for Russian language, availability of education in Russian at all levels, protection of traditional family values and resolution of non-citizenship problem”. The party lists include some candidates who are not citizens of the party, as well as some representatives of non-political NGOs. 

30 July 2014 

• Igors Vatolins: the problems of Latvia’s Russians will be exploited by Putin’s propaganda 

Journalist Igors Vatolins is organising a “The Movement of Europe’s Russians in Latvia” to unite the people of European thinking – those who are “individual, responsible, pluralistic and are not afraid of diversity”. Mr Vatolins believes Latvia should be a political nation, while the ruling party “Unity” was not able to overcome ethnic barriers. While Latvian should remain the only state language, other languages should be allowed as well – such as abolishing the requirement of the state language examination for non-native speakers wishing to work as permanent teaching staff. According to Mr Vatolins, there are at least four "Russian issues" in Latvia: the status of Latvia’s non-citizens, the status of Russian language, schools, historic memory. Initially these were merely human rights issues. Mr Vatolins believes Vladimir Putin, in order to consolidate his power, constantly needs to demonstrate some action to the population of Russia and it is likely that Latvia’s mistakes regarding minority language education will be exploited  by Putin’s propaganda as “oppression”, “Russian schools are being closed”, “Russian language is being squeezed out”. Mr Vatolins is also critical about the attempts to legislate on matters of historic memories. Mr Vatolins believes one should emphasise the achievements and successes of Latvia’s history and present, such as the fact that the Republic of Latvia, established in 1918, was restored, as well as highlight that Latvian language fulfils the function of a “secret language” of all Latvia’s residents when they travel abroad: ethnic minorities, including Russians, in Moscow or Brussels easily switch to Latvian among themselves when they wish to hide their conversation from the outsiders. Latvijas Avize

29 July 2014 

• Different opinions about the future prospects of the "New Wave" in Latvia 

Following the ban on the entry of certain Russia’s artists into Latvia, the newspapers publish different opinions about the future prospects of the "New Wave" music contest in Latvia. MEP from Latvia Artis Pabriks (Unity) believes the contest is a component of Russia’s cultural and political power and it should be seen in the context of sanctions against Russia, unresolved relations between Europe, US and Russia. Politician Ainars Slesers (United for Latvia) believes Latvia needs such international contest, emphasises its economic benefit, refutes the notion that the music contest might endanger Latvia’s security and draws attention to cooperation of France, Germany and the UK with Russia. Organisers of various entertainment events admitted the public might be less interested to visit the "New Wave" and already now there are fewer tourists from Russia. Diena, Vesti Segodnya

• The Minister of Education Ina Druviete briefed the representatives of certain embassies about the system of education for national minorities of Latvia
• Historian Kaspars Zellis: people in Latvia are stressed because of the war in Ukraine and political clowns are playing with it 

The Minister of Education Ina Druviete conducted an informational briefing for the representatives of certain foreign embassies about the system of education for national minorities of Latvia. Ms Druviete stated that by 2018 all national minority schools would provide education mainly in the state language. Representatives of the countries of the EU, NATO and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development were invited to the briefing, but not the representatives of the Commonwealth of Independent States countries. Vesti Segodnya 

According to historian Kaspars Zellis events in Ukraine politicised the society in Latvia. People in Latvia are stressed because of the war, are afraid that similar events might take place in Latvia and politicians are playing on these emotions. Russia’s policy provides a trump card to marginal politicians in Latvia to increase ethnic tensions in the society. Vesti Segodnya