• 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

• Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov: good-neighbourly relations between Latvia and Russia are hindered by problem of non-citizens and Latvias attempts to rewrite history
• Russian NGOs in Jelgava complain that the City Council ignores them

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov at a meeting with students of the University of Latvia stated that good-neighbourly relations between Latvia and Russia are hindered by two problems – problem of non-citizens and violation of rights of Russian compatriots and Latvia’s attempts to rewrite history and to lay on Russia liability for activities of non-existent Soviet state. The Ambassador believed that if Latvia eliminates those problems relation between two countries would considerably improve.

The Russian Ambassador to Latvia Aleksandr Veshnyakov at a meeting with students of the University of Latvia stated that good-neighbourly relations between Latvia and Russia are hindered by two problems – problem of non-citizens and violation of rights of Russian compatriots and Latvias attempts to rewrite history and to lay on Russia liability for activities of non-existent Soviet state. The Ambassador believed that if Latvia eliminates those problems relation between two countries would considerably improve. Vesti Segodnya, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports that Russian NGOs in Jelgava (city in the central part of Latvia) complain that the City Council ignores their submitted projects as well as their requests to grant them a building where they could base their activities.

• Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights adopted a ruling in favour of a Latvian pensioner, non-citizen Natalija Andrejeva
• State Language Centre and Translation and Terminology Centre could be merged

Yesterday, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights adopted a ruling in favour of a Latvian pensioner, non-citizen Natalija Andrejeva in her case against Latvia and obliged Latvia to pay to Mrs. Andrejeva EUR 5,000 as compensation of damages and EUR 1,500 as compensation of legal expenses. As reported, Natalija Andrejeva objected the fact that the years of her employment during the Soviet times at an enterprise located in Latvia but subordinated to lead organisations in Moscow and Kiev is not included in the total length of service on the ground that she does not have Latvian citizenship. The judgment of the Grand Chamber is not appealable. Lawyer Aleksejs Dimitrovs involved in the case believes that this precedent should have far-reaching legal consequences such as amendments to the Law on State Pensions.

Yesterday, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights adopted a ruling in favour of a Latvian pensioner, non-citizen Natalija Andrejeva in her case against Latvia and obliged Latvia to pay to Mrs. Andrejeva EUR 5,000 as compensation of damages and EUR 1,500 as compensation of legal expenses. As reported, Natalija Andrejeva objected the fact that the years of her employment during the Soviet times at an enterprise located in Latvia but subordinated to lead organisations in Moscow and Kiev is not included in the total length of service on the ground that she does not have Latvian citizenship. The judgment of the Grand Chamber is not appealable. Lawyer Aleksejs Dimitrovs involved in the case believes that this precedent should have far-reaching legal consequences such as amendments to the Law on State Pensions. Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins arranged with the directors of the State Language Centre and the Translation and Terminology Centre that the two structures will be merged. The Minister believes that merger of two structures will establish stronger language institution.

The Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins arranged with the directors of the State Language Centre and the Translation and Terminology Centre that the two structures will be merged. The Minister believes that merger of two structures will establish stronger language institution. Chas