• Survey: 53% of Russian speaking residents and 78% of Latvian speakers consider themselves as Latvias patriots

According to a public opinion survey held by “SKDS”, only 25% of Latvian residents stated that they are “definitely patriots of Latvia” and 42% stated that they are “somewhat patriotic” towards this country, while 25% stated they are “not patriots”. 78% of Latvian speakers and 53% of Russian speakers stated that they are patriots of Latvia 72% of respondents feel that they belong to Latvia, while 12% - to Russia.

According to a public opinion survey held by SKDS, only 25% of Latvian residents stated that they are definitely patriots of Latvia and 42% stated that they are somewhat patriotic towards this country, while 25% stated they are not patriots. 78% of Latvian speakers and 53% of Russian speakers stated that they are patriots of Latvia 72% of respondents feel that they belong to Latvia, while 12% - to Russia. Latvijas Avize

• Peoples Party in its elections program in Daugavpils promises to involve equally all citys residents in the decision making process
• Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov: 8 and 9 May united everyone who craved for the victory over Nazism
• Vesti Segodnya reports about an anthology Contemporary European Ethnocracy: Violation of Rights of Ethnic Minorities in Latvia and Estonia
• Most popular party - the Concord Centre; the most popular candidate for the Mayor of Riga – Ainars Slesers

Latvijas Avize reports that the Peoples Party in its elections program in Daugavpils promises to involve equally all citys residents irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, age or citizenship status in the city development and in the decision making process. According to one of the partys leader Maris Kucinskis, Daugavpils is a special city where large part of residents uses Russian language and these people also should have equal opportunities to take part on the decision taking process. At the same time, press secretary of the Peoples Party affirms that the position of the party regarding granting voting rights to non-citizens in municipal election remains unchanged: only citizens should take part in the elections.

Chas prints an interview with the Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov. The Ambassador believes that 8 and 9 May (the end of WWII) are the days which united everyone who carved for the victory over Nazism. According to the Ambassador, it is unfair that in Latvia, the veterans who defeated Nazism do not receive any benefits from the state. The Ambassador also believes that presently, the relations between Russia and Latvia are predominantly pragmatic.

Vesti Segodnya reports that a presentation of an anthology Contemporary European Ethnocracy: Violation of Rights of Ethnic Minorities in Latvia and Estonia was held yesterday in Moscow. The anthology was edited by the Russian foundation Historical Memory and tells about results of 5 years of Latvian and Estonian membership in the European Union.

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 – 24,5% of respondents would vote for it in the Saeima elections. The New Era is supported by 10,3%, the Latvia’s First Party/Latvia’s Way by 9,3%, and the For Human Rights in United Latvia is supported by 7,3%. In the meantime, the most popular candidates for the post of the Mayor of the Riga is Ainars Slesers (Latvia’s First Party/Latvia’s Way) and Nils Usakovs (the Concord Centre) - 23,5% and 22,8% accordingly.

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 – 24,5% of respondents would vote for it in the Saeima elections. The New Era is supported by 10,3%, the Latvias First Party/Latvias Way by 9,3%, and the For Human Rights in United Latvia is supported by 7,3%. In the meantime, the most popular candidates for the post of the Mayor of the Riga is Ainars Slesers (Latvias First Party/Latvias Way) and Nils Usakovs (the Concord Centre) - 23,5% and 22,8% accordingly. Diena, NRA

• Head of the Saeimas Defence and Internal Affairs Commission Juris Dalbins: de-occupation and de-colonisation in Latvia is desirable but not enforceable

The head of the Saeima’s Defence and Internal Affairs Commission Juris Dalbins (People's Party) in an interview with radical newspaper

The head of the Saeimas Defence and Internal Affairs Commission Juris Dalbins (People's Party) in an interview with radical newspaper DDD stated that de-occupation and de-colonisation in Latvia is desirable, and that closures of Russian schools is part of this process. He also noted that Latvian legislation is gradually being amended for these purposes, while mass expulsions are not enforceable, because the EU and NATO would not support such measures. Vesti Segodnya

• Ethnic Latvian cultural workers asked high-ranking officials to prevent the restoration of inscription For Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga on the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders

Ethnic Latvian cultural workers have sent an open letter to the President of Latvia, the Saeima and the Mayor of Riga asking to prevent the restoration of inscription “For Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga” on the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders. The authors of the letter believe that restoration of such inscription is provocation because it would infringe national feeling of ethnic Latvians. In the meantime, the Council on Monuments of the Riga City Council allowed the restoration of the historical inscription which was stolen in the beginning of 90’s.

Ethnic Latvian cultural workers have sent an open letter to the President of Latvia, the Saeima and the Mayor of Riga asking to prevent the restoration of inscription For Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga on the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders. The authors of the letter believe that restoration of such inscription is provocation because it would infringe national feeling of ethnic Latvians. In the meantime, the Council on Monuments of the Riga City Council allowed the restoration of the historical inscription which was stolen in the beginning of 90s. Vesti Segodnya

• Riga City Council issued permission to hold public celebration events on 9 May
• Ombudsman Romans Apsitis: Latvian state must preserve ethnic Latvian identity

Yesterday, the Riga City Council issued permission to hold public celebration events on 9 May (Victory Day) near the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders. The permission was issued despite the objections of the city Mayor Janis Birks who believed that such event is arranged by Russian left-wing extremists.

Yesterday, the Riga City Council issued permission to hold public celebration events on 9 May (Victory Day) near the Monument for Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders. The permission was issued despite the objections of the city Mayor Janis Birks who believed that such event is arranged by Russian left-wing extremists. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena

Latvijas Avize prints an interview with the Ombudsman Romans Apsitis. According to Mr. Apsitis, Latvia cannot exist without Latvian language and Latvian traditions and it is obligation of Latvian state to preserve ethnic Latvian identity.