• 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

• Social agreement between Latvia and Russia might be ratified within the next year

Telegraf reports that the social agreement between Latvia and Russia signed recently by both countries officials might be ratified within the next year. As reported, the social agreement is important for those Latvian non-citizens who have worked outside of Latvia during Soviet times because the agreement stipulates inclusion of these years in the total length of service and thus their pensions would rise.

• Newspapers report about the visit of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Latvia
• Chas prints an interview with the MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka about issues concerning Russian speaking residents in the EU countries

Newspapers report about the visit of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Latvia. Yesterday, Mr. Lavrov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins have exchanged with instruments of ratification of the border agreement between two countries thus the agreement has come into effect. In the framework of the visit, the representatives of Russia and Latvia have signed the social agreement stipulating that working time spent by non-citizens outside of Latvia during the Soviet period is included in the total length of service and the agreement on mutual protection of monuments and burial places. Sergey Lavrov has stated that Latvia should find a way to solve mass-scale non-citizenship in the country. At a meeting with the Orthodox metropolitan of Riga and all Latvia Aleksandr, Mr. Lavrov has stated that Russia is planning to establish the Centre of Russian Culture in Latvia. Sergey Lavrov also has officially invited the President of Latvia Vladis Zatlers to visit Russia.

Newspapers report about the visit of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov to Latvia. Yesterday, Mr. Lavrov and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Maris Riekstins have exchanged with instruments of ratification of the border agreement between two countries thus the agreement has come into effect. In the framework of the visit, the representatives of Russia and Latvia have signed the social agreement stipulating that working time spent by non-citizens outside of Latvia during the Soviet period is included in the total length of service and the agreement on mutual protection of monuments and burial places. Sergey Lavrov has stated that Latvia should find a way to solve mass-scale non-citizenship in the country. At a meeting with the Orthodox metropolitan of Riga and all Latvia Aleksandr, Mr. Lavrov has stated that Russia is planning to establish the Centre of Russian Culture in Latvia. Sergey Lavrov also has officially invited the President of Latvia Vladis Zatlers to visit Russia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena, NRA

Chas prints an interview with the MEP from Latvia Tatyana Zdanoka about issues concerning Russian speaking residents in the EU countries. Mrs. Zdanoka believes that the biggest her achievement at the deputys post is cancellation of visa requirements for non-citizenship to travel within the EU.