Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Press Report

808 174 citizens or 60,47% of people with voting rights took part at the municipal election this year. Comparatively to the last election the turnout has increased – last time it was 56,84%.

808 174 citizens or 60,47% of people with voting rights took part at the municipal election this year. Comparatively to the last election the turnout has increased – last time it was 56,84%.

According to preliminary results Social Democrats will have 14 seats in the Riga city council (49,880 votes or 23.4 percent), FHRUL 13 seats (45,551 votes or 21.4 percent), FF/LNNK will have 11 seats (36,888 votes or 17.3 percent), People’s Party six seats (21,946 votes or 10.3 percent), Latvia's Way five seats (18,545 votes or 8.7 percent). Latvian Green Party has won 2 seats on the city council (8757 votes or 4.1 percent), Latvian Democratic Party and Prosperity Party have won two seats each (6228 and 6386 votes or 2.9 percent and 3 percent, respectively). Russian Party, Latvian Farmers Union, Labour Party, Christian Democratic Union, New Christian Party each have won one seat on the Riga city council. The polls in Riga were joined by 212,857 voters.

According to preliminary results Social Democrats will have 14 seats in the Riga city council (49,880 votes or 23.4 percent), FHRUL 13 seats (45,551 votes or 21.4 percent), FF/LNNK will have 11 seats (36,888 votes or 17.3 percent), Peoples Party six seats (21,946 votes or 10.3 percent), Latvia's Way five seats (18,545 votes or 8.7 percent). Latvian Green Party has won 2 seats on the city council (8757 votes or 4.1 percent), Latvian Democratic Party and Prosperity Party have won two seats each (6228 and 6386 votes or 2.9 percent and 3 percent, respectively). Russian Party, Latvian Farmers Union, Labour Party, Christian Democratic Union, New Christian Party each have won one seat on the Riga city council. The polls in Riga were joined by 212,857 voters.

What regards other municipalities the ruling parties – Latvia’s Way and People’s Party – have managed to keep their positions in those municipalities where they already have ruling positions.

What regards other municipalities the ruling parties – Latvias Way and Peoples Party – have managed to keep their positions in those municipalities where they already have ruling positions. Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna, Vesti Segodnja, Panorama Latvii, Chas, Respublika

Chas

forecasts that most likely Social Democrats and FF/LNNK will form a coalition. forecasts that most likely Social Democrats and FF/LNNK will form a coalition.

Diena

writes that social democrats leader J.Bojars about the possible coalition with other political powers said, the party will be careful and reasonable, which is interpreted that social democrats will not rush to join with FHRUL. The most desirable partners for Social Democrats would be FF/LNNK, however, FF/LNNK also does not rush with statements as in the interests of FF/LNNK according to the current mayor A.Argalis is to form a coalition with right wing ruling parties, however, it should be noted that A.Argalis is not named as the negation leader from FF/LNNK. writes that social democrats leader J.Bojars about the possible coalition with other political powers said, “the party will be careful and reasonable”, which is interpreted that social democrats will not rush to join with FHRUL. The most desirable partners for Social Democrats would be FF/LNNK, however, FF/LNNK also does not rush with statements as in the interests of FF/LNNK according to the current mayor A.Argalis is to form a coalition with right wing ruling parties, however, it should be noted that A.Argalis is not named as the negation leader from FF/LNNK. DienaDiena

Respublika

gives its alternatives for possible coalitions in Riga City Council and what impact it would have on the overall situation in Latvia. If A.Argalis keeps the post of the mayor and the coalition is formed of three ruling parties of the Saeima and some small parties there are no changes in the Saeima. Another alternative is that Social Democrats go together with FF/LNNK and in this case there is not only theoretical but also a real threat for the Government. The third alternative is - FHRUL forms a coalition with Social Democrats, however, even if it comes true, this coalition in no case will be in the position. And the last alternative is – Social Democrats is included in the coalition with the ruling parties. gives its alternatives for possible coalitions in Riga City Council and what impact it would have on the overall situation in Latvia. If A.Argalis keeps the post of the mayor and the coalition is formed of three ruling parties of the Saeima and some small parties there are no changes in the Saeima. Another alternative is that Social Democrats go together with FF/LNNK and in this case there is not only theoretical but also a real threat for the Government. The third alternative is - FHRUL forms a coalition with Social Democrats, however, even if it comes true, this coalition in no case will be in the position. And the last alternative is – Social Democrats is included in the coalition with the ruling parties. All parties do not want to form a coalition with the union FHRUL, however, FHRUL chairman J.Jurkans confirmed that his party is ready to co-operate with any party but FF/LNNK.

All parties do not want to form a coalition with the union FHRUL, however, FHRUL chairman J.Jurkans confirmed that his party is ready to co-operate with any party but FF/LNNK. Panorama Latvii

The election lists that disappeared mysteriously in the Majori polling station in sea resort town Jurmala have been found. After the election commission staff detected that lists were missing they were searching the entire polling station and vicinity but found nothing. However, after the police arrived, the lists were found. Head of the local election commission, Marija Sondore voiced that at this point a theory has been presented that the lists simply were not noticed. But she stressed this is not her opinion and she believes the lists most likely were taken and then put back again. The President cast her voice at Majori polling station.

The election lists that disappeared mysteriously in the Majori polling station in sea resort town Jurmala have been found. After the election commission staff detected that lists were missing they were searching the entire polling station and vicinity but found nothing. However, after the police arrived, the lists were found. Head of the local election commission, Marija Sondore voiced that at this point a theory has been presented that the lists simply were not noticed. But she stressed this is not her opinion and she believes the lists most likely were taken and then put back again. The President cast her voice at Majori polling station. Diena

Already before the results of the election were announced, Social Democrats discussed possible co-operation with FF/LNNK, Democracy Party and Welfare Party. FF/LNNK leader M.Grinblats was very cautious when talking about the co-operation with Social Democrats.

Already before the results of the election were announced, Social Democrats discussed possible co-operation with FF/LNNK, Democracy Party and Welfare Party. FF/LNNK leader M.Grinblats was very cautious when talking about the co-operation with Social Democrats. Neatkariga

Diena

has asked the opinions of different people and also the candidates to the post of Riga mayor about the results of the election. Political scientist A.Pabriks describes the results as political revolution as the winners are social democrats and FHRUL and gives his alternatives for coalition – 1) Social Democrats and FF/LNNK 2) FF/LNNK and Social Democrats and Latvias Way 3) Social Democrats, LW and FHRUL and 4) Social Democrats, FF/LNNK and small parties. The candidates to the post of mayor do not name particular parties which could form a coalition and do not consider that these results could have essential impact on the situation in the country. has asked the opinions of different people and also the candidates to the post of Riga mayor about the results of the election. Political scientist A.Pabriks describes the results as political revolution as the winners are social democrats and FHRUL and gives his alternatives for coalition – 1) Social Democrats and FF/LNNK 2) FF/LNNK and Social Democrats and Latvia’s Way 3) Social Democrats, LW and FHRUL and 4) Social Democrats, FF/LNNK and small parties. The candidates to the post of mayor do not name particular parties which could form a coalition and do not consider that these results could have essential impact on the situation in the country. In Rezekne some candidates of several parties – Latvian Democracy Party, LW, Russian Party and Social Democrats – paid to the voters for casting votes for them; this information is also confirmed by public observers. Suspicions about the possible trading with votes were also in Balvi. In one of the rural municipalities in Valmiera the voters who voted for the union “Musu pagasts” were treated with vodka, the same situation was observed in Jurmala where people who voted for “Musu zeme” were offered a drink. In Jelgava some businessmen and employers demanded their employees to bring remaining voting lists with one particular list missing – one employees were said to vote for - to work on Monday. Among other violations was the poster of People’s Party, which was closer to the polling district than it is provided for by the law.

In Rezekne some candidates of several parties – Latvian Democracy Party, LW, Russian Party and Social Democrats – paid to the voters for casting votes for them; this information is also confirmed by public observers. Suspicions about the possible trading with votes were also in Balvi. In one of the rural municipalities in Valmiera the voters who voted for the union Musu pagasts were treated with vodka, the same situation was observed in Jurmala where people who voted for Musu zeme were offered a drink. In Jelgava some businessmen and employers demanded their employees to bring remaining voting lists with one particular list missing – one employees were said to vote for - to work on Monday. Among other violations was the poster of Peoples Party, which was closer to the polling district than it is provided for by the law. Diena, Neatkariga, Chas, Panorama Latvii, Respublika

On contrary to the forecast that the new citizens – people who recently acquired citizenship through naturalisation – would vote for 3 political powers Latvian Democracy Party, LW and FHRUL, it turned out that almost all inquired new citizens cast their votes for FHRUL as they believe that only this party will fight for the improvements in social economic conditions and perseverance of the Russian language.

On contrary to the forecast that the new citizens – people who recently acquired citizenship through naturalisation – would vote for 3 political powers Latvian Democracy Party, LW and FHRUL, it turned out that almost all inquired new citizens cast their votes for FHRUL as they believe that only this party will fight for the improvements in social economic conditions and perseverance of the Russian language. Diena

Panorama Latvii gives quite opposite information – the newspaper voices that new citizens had to vote for FHRUL as this party achieved the changes in the Citizenship Law, however, their choice was LW and Social Democrats.

Panorama Latvii gives quite opposite information – the newspaper voices that new citizens had to vote for FHRUL as this party achieved the changes in the Citizenship Law, however, their choice was LW and Social Democrats.

Two youngsters Sunday handcuffed themselves to a fence across the street from one of the most popular polling stations in the Latvian capital, protesting the rules, which make non-citizens ineligible to vote in local elections.

Two youngsters Sunday handcuffed themselves to a fence across the street from one of the most popular polling stations in the Latvian capital, protesting the rules, which make non-citizens ineligible to vote in local elections. Chas, Vesti Segodnja

The municipal election did not raise very big interest of foreign countries. Official accreditation was given to three employees from United Kingdom embassy and to one from Sweden Government Agency. There were no official observers from the OSCE - the members of the OSCE Mission to Latvia joined the election, however, they will not make an official report. The leader of the students delegation from Bergen University professor Aarebort named three major flaws observed at the election – purchase of the votes, there were no special closed cabins in some districts and so-called family voting, when two or more members of a family enter the cabin simultaneously.

The municipal election did not raise very big interest of foreign countries. Official accreditation was given to three employees from United Kingdom embassy and to one from Sweden Government Agency. There were no official observers from the OSCE - the members of the OSCE Mission to Latvia joined the election, however, they will not make an official report. The leader of the students delegation from Bergen University professor Aarebort named three major flaws observed at the election – purchase of the votes, there were no special closed cabins in some districts and so-called family voting, when two or more members of a family enter the cabin simultaneously. Chas

State language law has placed the administrations of prisons in a tricky situation – they cannot review complaints written in Russian as it would be a violation of the Language Law, however, if they do not accept the complaints from Russian inmates they are violating inmates human rights.

State language law has placed the administrations of prisons in a tricky situation – they cannot review complaints written in Russian as it would be a violation of the Language Law, however, if they do not accept the complaints from Russian inmates they are violating inmates human rights. Vesti Segodnja

Respublika

asks A.Cimdars about the violations at the election – particularly, about the situation when employees ask their employees to present the remaining election lists. However, there are no facts proving that. asks A.Cimdars about the violations at the election – particularly, about the situation when employees ask their employees to present the remaining election lists. However, there are no facts proving that.