• Saeima refused proposal to exempt elderly people from state language proficiency test required for permanent residency permit
• Vesti Segodnya: nationalism is the reason of economic crisis in Latvia
• Mayor of Riga Janis Birks refused to bring apologies to the Concord Centre for a video clip created by his party

Vesti Segodnya reports that yesterday, the Saeima has refused draft amendments to the Emigration Law proposed by the faction For Human Rights in United Latvia exempting elderly people from taking the state language proficiency test required for permanent residency permit. Recently, the newspaper reported about an 88-year-old woman, Ukrainian citizen, who lives in Latvia since 1994, however, due to her age, the woman is not able to pass the language test in order to receive permanent residency permit.

Vesti Segodnya prints an article according to which nationalism is the reason of economic crisis in Latvia. An entrepreneur interviewed by the newspaper believes that Latvia is affected by such deep crisis because ethnic Latvian politicians constantly refused to co-operate with Russia and excluded Russian speaking residents from the state structures.

Janis Birks, the Mayor of Riga City Council and a member of For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM refused to bring apologies to the Concord Centre (SC) for a video clip created by his party. As reported, the SC accused the FF/LNIM of incitement to ethnic hatred for a video clip according to which the SC intends to undermine basic values and ideology of Latvian state and to Russify Latvia.

Janis Birks, the Mayor of Riga City Council and a member of For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM refused to bring apologies to the Concord Centre (SC) for a video clip created by his party. As reported, the SC accused the FF/LNIM of incitement to ethnic hatred for a video clip according to which the SC intends to undermine basic values and ideology of Latvian state and to Russify Latvia. The SCs members of Riga City Council demanded that the Mayor should apologise or face removal from the post. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Chas: people are forced to wait for months for their language certification tests

Concord Centre accuses the Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM of incitement to ethnic hatred

Chas reports that because the list of posts and professions which require certain state language proficiency was enlarged and the language proficiency level requirements were raised, many ethnic non-Latvians should go trough language certification tests. However, people are forced to wait for their turn at the Centre for Curriculum Development and Examination for months. And this obstacle puts people in danger of being fired.

The leader of the Concord Centre (SC) Nils Usakovs accused the party for Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) of incitement to ethnic hatred. As reported, the FF/LNIM spread a video clip which asserts that the SC has intention to undermine basic values and ideology of Latvian state and to Russify Latvia. The SC’s faction in the Riga City Council gave an ultimatum to the Mayor Janis Birks (member of the FF/LNIM) to bring public apologies to the SC or to leave the FF/LNIM or to vacate the post of the Mayor, otherwise, the SC will get Janis Birks removed from the post. The SC is also planning to sue the FF/LNIM.

The leader of the Concord Centre (SC) Nils Usakovs accused the party for Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) of incitement to ethnic hatred. As reported, the FF/LNIM spread a video clip which asserts that the SC has intention to undermine basic values and ideology of Latvian state and to Russify Latvia. The SCs faction in the Riga City Council gave an ultimatum to the Mayor Janis Birks (member of the FF/LNIM) to bring public apologies to the SC or to leave the FF/LNIM or to vacate the post of the Mayor, otherwise, the SC will get Janis Birks removed from the post. The SC is also planning to sue the FF/LNIM. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

 

• For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM created video clip against the Concord Centre
• Naturalisation Board: more and more citizens are asking how to renounce Latvian citizenship
• Vesti Segodnya: 88-year-old woman must take Latvian language proficiency test in order to receive permanent residency permit in Latvia

The Saeima’s faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) stated that only ethnic Latvian parties should compose new ruling coalition.

The Saeimas faction For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM (FF/LNIM) stated that only ethnic Latvian parties should compose new ruling coalition. Chas reports that the FF/LNIM also created a video clip (in the framework of pre-election campaign) which asserts that the party Concord Centre has intention to undermine basic values and ideology of Latvian state. Chas

According to the Naturalisation Board, more and more citizens are asking how to renounce Latvian citizenship. The Head of the NB Eizenija Aldermane states that the main reason why persons want to renounce citizenship is anger on political situation and economical crisis in Latvia. In January 2009, 17 persons decided to renounce citizenship – 8 ethnic Latvians, 8 Russians and 1 Polish.

According to the Naturalisation Board, more and more citizens are asking how to renounce Latvian citizenship. The Head of the NB Eizenija Aldermane states that the main reason why persons want to renounce citizenship is anger on political situation and economical crisis in Latvia. In January 2009, 17 persons decided to renounce citizenship – 8 ethnic Latvians, 8 Russians and 1 Polish. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize (24.02)

Vesti Segodnya reports about an 88-year-old woman, Ukrainian citizen, who lives in Latvia since 1994 with two her daughters. The woman has only temporary residency permit because in order to receive permanent residency permit she must go trough Latvian language proficiency test. The woman complaints that she is not able to pass the test due to her age and the state of health. Director of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights Ilze Brands Kehris in an interview with the newspaper considers such requirements could be changed by initiative of state institutions because this issue is regulated by the rules of the Cabinet of Ministers. Head of the Saeimas Human Rights Commission Oskars Kastens agrees that such requirements for old people are inadequate and issues around it should be discussed.

• Social scientist Brigita Zepa: Russian residents should join ethnic Latvian parties
• Exhibition Russians in Latvia in the premises of the European Parliament
• Newspapers report about negotiations of the Saeimas factions about establishment of a new government

Social scientist Brigita Zepa an interview to

Social scientist Brigita Zepa an interview to Vesti Segodnya states that establishment of civil society in Latvia could be promoted by more active involvement of Russian residents in ethnic Latvian parties. Mrs. Zepa believes that the fight of ethnic Latvian politicians against Russians helped them to hold their positions in the government but it did not help them to govern the state.

Today, the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka opens an exhibition “Russians in Latvia” in the premises of the European Parliament (EP.) Also, a seminar “Rights of Russians in Latvia” is held today in the EP.

Today, the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka opens an exhibition Russians in Latvia in the premises of the European Parliament (EP.) Also, a seminar Rights of Russians in Latvia is held today in the EP. Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers report about negotiations of the Saeima’s factions about establishment of a new government. The New Era considers that new ruling coalition should encompass as many parties as possible including the Concord Centre. In the meantime, the factions For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM and Latvia’s First party/Latvia’s Way strictly objects against inclusion of the Concord Centre in the government. According to the head of the Concord Centre Nils Usakovs, it is too early to speak about inclusion into the government, but an important aspect now is that the views of the New Era and the Concord Centre coincide on how to navigate the country out of economic crisis.

Newspapers report about negotiations of the Saeimas factions about establishment of a new government. The New Era considers that new ruling coalition should encompass as many parties as possible including the Concord Centre. In the meantime, the factions For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM and Latvias First party/Latvias Way strictly objects against inclusion of the Concord Centre in the government. According to the head of the Concord Centre Nils Usakovs, it is too early to speak about inclusion into the government, but an important aspect now is that the views of the New Era and the Concord Centre coincide on how to navigate the country out of economic crisis. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena

• Vesti Segodnya reports on celebration of 220th anniversary of the establishment of the first Russian school in Latvia
• Telegraf reports that Independent Trade Union of Policemen is planning to hold a protest action on 16 March
• Most popular parties in Latvia in November: the Concord Centre, the Union of Greens and Farmers and the New Era

Vesti Segodnya reports on celebration of 220th anniversary of the establishment of the first Russian school in Latvia. According to MP Miroslavs Mitrofanovs (For Human Rights in United Latvia), the fact that Russian schools exist in Latvia since 1789 shows how deep are the roots of Russian Diaspora in Latvia.

Telegraf reports that Independent Trade Union of Policemen is planning to hold a protest action on 16 March. As reported, 16 March in Latvia is unofficial commemoration day of Latvian Waffen SS legionnaires when members of various ethnic radical organisations hold processions. In an interview with the newspaper, head of the Trade Union states that the action will not affect safety of society because policemen on duty will not take part in the protest action.

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 – 10.1% of Latvian citizens would vote for it if the Saeima elections were held in February. The Union of Greens and Farmers and the New Era are supported by 6.3 %. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. However, 35 % of respondents have not decided whom to vote for yet, while 17.1% of respondents 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 in Latvia – 10.1% of Latvian citizens would vote for it if the Saeima elections were held in February. The Union of Greens and Farmers and the New Era are supported by 6.3 %. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. However, 35 % of respondents have not decided whom to vote for yet, while 17.1% of respondents would not participate in the elections. Diena