• Political scientist Ivars Ijabs anticipates increase of radicalism
• Orthodox Christmas will not be officially celebrated in 2009
• Interview with representatives of Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration

In the interview with

In the interview with Chas, political scientist Ivars Ijabs stated that he anticipates increased radicalisation and growing strength of nationalists. He mentioned that political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (TB/LNNK) recently launched ridiculous TV advertisement, where a Russian couple refuses to buy Christmas tree when they find out that tree is from Latvia. Also Head of Peoples party and Minister of Interior Mareks Seglins said that he will not speak Russian anymore. Chas

After a discussion about adding Orthodox Christmas to Latvian calendar a new discussion started on how two extra holidays can harm Latvian economy. It is unlikely that Orthodox Christmas will be officially celebrated in 2009.

After a discussion about adding Orthodox Christmas to Latvian calendar a new discussion started on how two extra holidays can harm Latvian economy. It is unlikely that Orthodox Christmas will be officially celebrated in 2009. Telegraf

Latvijas Avize interviewed representatives of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (Secretariat) - Deniss Hanovs, Director of National Minority Affairs Department and Aleksandra Rostovceva, Senior Officer of National Minorty Coordination Unit about the results of the Secretariats work, ethnic minority NGOs, radicalism, political criticism and the institutional reform. Deniss Hanovs said that it doesnt matter how the next institution will be called, the most important thing is to continue the work of the Secretariat. Latvijas Avize

• Interview with asylum seekers from Georgia
• Radical parties in municipal elections

Sestdiena reports about three asylum seekers from Georgia. They tell about bombing in Georgia, their journey to Latvia and about the warm support from border guards as well as their friends in Latvia. Now they are living in Asylum seekers reception centre Mucenieki, learning Latvian three times a week and are still trying to be optimistic.

National radical party “Visu Latvijai” (All for Latvia) will join party “For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK” (TB/LNNK) electoral list for the municipal elections in Jelgava next year. Meanwhile “The Union of Greens and Farmers” plan to make a united electoral list with “All for Latvia” in Riga.

National radical party Visu Latvijai (All for Latvia) will join party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK (TB/LNNK) electoral list for the municipal elections in Jelgava next year. Meanwhile The Union of Greens and Farmers plan to make a united electoral list with All for Latvia in Riga. Latvijas Avize

• Chas reports that Russian speaking people in Latvia are competitive

Recently, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Administrative Violations Code stipulating increase of the administrative fine for not using Latvian language at work. According to the article, seventeen institutions that coordinate language policy and the tough language policy itself make Russian speaking people in Latvia more competitive. Some of the Russian speaking students know at least three languages (Russian, Latvian and English), meanwhile some Latvian students speak two languages (Latvian and English).

Recently, the Saeima adopted amendments to the Administrative Violations Code stipulating increaseof the administrative fine for not using Latvian language at work. According to the article, seventeen institutions that coordinate language policy and the tough language policy itself make Russian speaking people in Latvia more competitive. Some of the Russian speaking students know at least three languages (Russian, Latvian and English), meanwhile some Latvian students speak two languages (Latvian and English). Chas

• Liquidation of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration

Diena reports that by liquidating the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration (Secretariat) the state will save up to LVL 300,000 (EUR 427,059). Unfortunately, neither the Secretariat nor the Ministry of Finance can explain where this number comes from. The Secretariat will liquidated by January 1, 2009.

• Interview on Latvian language examinations

Latvijas Avize interviewed the Head of the Centre for Curriculum Development and Examinations (ISEC) Mrs. Agrita Groza and the Head of the State Language Certification Unit Mrs. Anta Lazareva. According to the interview, 5069 people took Latvian language exams in 2008; 29% of them failed. There are two Latvian language testing commissions: one is the State Language Certification Unit that certifies people if they need a certificate for their professional duties or for receiving residence permits, the other is Naturalisation Board that tests Latvian language for obtaining Latvian citizenship.