• Founder of the Peoples Party Andris Skele: appointing couple of ethnic Russians to the position of ministers would benefit long-term interests of ethnic Latvians
• Telegraf: Latvian non-citizens do not hurry to receive EU permanent residents permit

Founder of the People’s Party Andris Skele stated that appointing couple of ethnic Russians to the positions of ministers would benefit long-term interests of ethnic Latvians. Andris Skele believes that at a certain moment, the principles of forming the government could be changed and those Russians, who support right-wing policies and understand the role and interests of Latvians, could be appointed. Such appointment would help representatives of ethnic minorities to understand that all people are equal in Latvia. At the same time, Mr. Skele considers that the Concord Centre cannot be included in the government coalition because some of the party’s members represent radical forces inappropriate for conservative and national Latvian policy.

Founder of the Peoples Party Andris Skele stated that appointing couple of ethnic Russians to the positions of ministers would benefit long-term interests of ethnic Latvians. Andris Skele believes that at a certain moment, the principles of forming the government could be changed and those Russians, who support right-wing policies and understand the role and interests of Latvians, could be appointed. Such appointment would help representatives of ethnic minorities to understand that all people are equal in Latvia. At the same time, Mr. Skele considers that the Concord Centre cannot be included in the government coalition because some of the partys members represent radical forces inappropriate for conservative and national Latvian policy. Chas, Telegraf

Telegraf reports that Latvian non-citizens do not hurry to receive EU permanent residents permit. Since 2006, 111 residents of Latvia received status of EU permanent resident. Among those only 22 were Latvian non-citizens, while the rest were non-EU citizens with residency permit in Latvia. According to the newspaper, the main reasons why non-citizens do not apply for the status are the state language requirements and the belief that the status is needed only if a person is planning to work and live in other European country.

• Vesti Segodnya reports that a Latvian TV journalist Roberts Klimovics films a documentary about a famous Latvian aviator and member the Arajs Commando Herberts Cukurs
• 63,9% of Latvian young people are considering the option to emigrate from Latvia permanently
• Most popular political parties in Latvia in March: Concord Centre and New Era

Vesti Segodnya reports that a Latvian TV journalist Roberts Klimovics films a documentary about a famous Latvian aviator Herberts Cukurs who in 1941 became a member the notorious Arajs Commando, responsible for many Holocaust crimes in Latvia. Roberts Klimovics believes that Herberts Cukurs has been wrongfully slandered and by making the documentary Mr. Klimovics will try to rehabilitate Herberts Cukurs, arguing that he was Latvian national hero. The newspaper also notes that in an interview with radical newspaper DDD Roberts Klimovics has stated: Holocaust is enormous industry of lies.

Telegraf reports that according to a public opinion survey held by Latvijas Fakti, 63,9% of Latvian young people are considering the option to emigrate from Latvia permanently. The most popular countries for resettlement are the EU states as well as Australia, South American and African countries.

According to the latest public opinion survey held by “Latvijas Fakti”, the most popular political parties in Latvia are the Concord Centre and the New Era – 11,5% and 10,2% of respondents accordingly would vote for these parties if the Saeima elections are held in March. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 6,3% of respondents. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. However, 32,9 % of respondents have not decided whom to vote for yet, while 18,7% of respondents would not participate in the elections.

According to the latest public opinion survey held by Latvijas Fakti, the most popular political parties in Latvia are the Concord Centre and the New Era – 11,5% and 10,2% of respondents accordingly would vote for these parties if the Saeima elections are held in March. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 6,3% of respondents. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. However, 32,9 % of respondents have not decided whom to vote for yet, while 18,7% of respondents would not participate in the elections. Telegraf, Diena

• Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the head of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualds Razuks
• Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Riga City Council decided to close three Russian language schools
• Diena prints an article by a social scientist Aija Lulle on immigration issues in Latvia

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with the head of the Presidents Advisory Council on Ethnic Minorities Romualds Razuks. Mr. Razuks considers that the society is not ready yet to grant voting rights to non-citizens. Mr. Razuks also considers that Russian language should not be granted official status arguing that Russian language will force out Latvian language from its positions.

The Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Riga City Council decided to start reorganisation of school system in Riga with closure of three Russian language schools (two elementary and one secondary) which have insufficient number of students. Three Russian schools and Estonian school will not be allowed to open 10th grade. According to the head of the Department, these are not the only schools which are forced to be closed due to cut of state funds. In the meantime, none of Latvian language schools are under the threat of closures yet.

The Education, Youth and Sports Department of the Riga City Council decided to start reorganisation of school system in Riga with closure of three Russian language schools (two elementary and one secondary) which have insufficient number of students. Three Russian schools and Estonian school will not be allowed to open 10th grade. According to the head of the Department, these are not the only schools which are forced to be closed due to cut of state funds. In the meantime, none of Latvian language schools are under the threat of closures yet. NRA, Vesti Segodnya

Diena prints an article by a social scientist Aija Lulle on immigration issues in Latvia. According to the article, even now the immigration issues are ignored at the level of policy modelling. Latvia did not elaborate any policy concept on integration of new immigrants. Aija Lulle believes that although Latvia did not face serious immigrants integration problems yet, it should elaborate strategic comprehensive integration system to prevent emergence of such problems in the future.

 

• Vesti Segodnya: 11 of 50 Russian language schools in Riga are on the verge of closure
• Telegraf: ban of 9 May events could turn into catastrophe

Vesti Segodnya prints an article about a new model of funding for schools in Riga. The new model stipulates optimisation of classes with insufficient number of students and prohibition to open 10th grade in schools which have only one complete set of senior classes (grades 10-12). According to the newspaper, the new model will have an adverse impact on minority schools. As a result of such reshuffling 11 out of 50 Russian language schools in Riga are on the verge of closure. Three Russian language secondary schools might become elementary schools because those have only one complete set of senior classes. In the meantime, half of Russian language schools might lose 10th grades because of insufficient number of students. According to the article, majority of schools of other ethnic minorities, such as Ukrainian, Polish, Estonian, Jewish, Belorussian, will not be able to comply with the new numerical requirements and thus will have to close unless their kin-states provide support.

Member of the Riga City Council’s Committee for Security and Public Order Andrejs Vilks in an interview with

Member of the Riga City Councils Committee for Security and Public Order Andrejs Vilks in an interview with Telegraf states that if there will be information about possible provocations on 9 May (Victory Day) applications for events planned to be held on this day may be refused. At the same time, Mr. Vilks supposes that ban of events may cause converse effect and increase possible provocations. The MP Nils Usakovs also considers that thousands of people will come to the Monument to Liberators of Riga from Nazi Invaders on 9 May in any case and a ban on official events could lead to a catastrophe for the city.

• Radical nationalistic organisation Club 415 launched an action Recognize the Fifth Column

Radical nationalistic organisation “Club 415” launched an action “Recognize the Fifth Column” aimed at revealing names of owners of cars decorated with Russian or Soviet symbols. “Club 415” calls ethnic Latvians to picture such cars and their registration numbers in order to forward these photos later to the police. “Club 415” believes that owners of such cars demonstrate their loyalty towards policy hostile to Latvia.

Radical nationalistic organisation Club 415 launched an action Recognize the Fifth Column aimed at revealing names of owners of cars decorated with Russian or Soviet symbols. Club 415 calls ethnic Latvians to picture such cars and their registration numbers in order to forward these photos later to the police. Club 415 believes that owners of such cars demonstrate their loyalty towards policy hostile to Latvia. Chas, Vesti Segodnya