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

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK party has prepared a text for an agreement with Social Democrats on co-operation on the city council. Under the prepared agreement, Social Democrats will not be allowed to close a coalition agreement with leftist union For Human Rights in United Latvia, FF/LNNK deputy on the Riga city council, Janis Karpovics, told

Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK party has prepared a text for an agreement with Social Democrats on co-operation on the city council. Under the prepared agreement, Social Democrats will not be allowed to close a coalition agreement with leftist union For Human Rights in United Latvia, FF/LNNK deputy on the Riga city council, Janis Karpovics, told BNS. He said the party is ready to co-operate with Social Democrats on the city council and sign a joint agreement on co-operation principles.

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins believes that the right-of-center For Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party's decision on taking part in running the Riga City Council will not promote government stability. PM spokesperson Arnis Lapins told

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Berzins believes that the right-of-center For Fatherland and Freedom (FF)/LNNK party's decision on taking part in running the Riga City Council will not promote government stability. PM spokesperson Arnis Lapins told BNS that "FF/LNNK entering the governing coalition on the Riga City Council is

contradicting the joint coalition in the government. The move is like sitting on two benches at the same time, which definitely won't promote government stability."

contradicting the joint coalition in the government. The move is like sitting on two benches at the same time, which definitely won't promote government stability."

After the last local government election several politicians expressed an opinion that it was the new citizens who were guilty of the victory of the left wingers. Political scientist A.Pabriks opposes this statement and says that responsible for this victory of left-wingers are not the new Latvian citizens but those politicians and parties that during the nineties were almost hysterically against public integration and calling for de-colonisation. According to the data of the Naturalisation Board by the local government election of 2001 in the major cities of Latvia were naturalised 29 091 people, in the whole state about 40 000. According to A.Pabriks’s calculation only 9000 new citizens participated in the Riga City Council election – it is less than 2.5% of the whole Riga electorate.

After the last local government election several politicians expressed an opinion that it was the new citizens who were guilty of the victory of the left wingers. Political scientist A.Pabriks opposes this statement and says that responsible for this victory of left-wingers are not the new Latvian citizens but those politicians and parties that during the nineties were almost hysterically against public integration and calling for de-colonisation. According to the data of the Naturalisation Board by the local government election of 2001 in the major cities of Latvia were naturalised 29 091 people, in the whole state about 40 000. According to A.Pabrikss calculation only 9000 new citizens participated in the Riga City Council election – it is less than 2.5% of the whole Riga electorate. Diena

FF/LNNK fact Chairman J.Birkans stated that in order not to permit a transfer of all political power to the left-wingers, closing of Latvian schools and restoration of the Soviet time street names, the FF/LNNK Saeima faction considered its duty to be actively involved in the work of the Riga City Council. Ant it will be FF/LNNK deputies who will stabilise the positions of Riga Mayor G.Bojars.

FF/LNNK fact Chairman J.Birkans stated that in order not to permit a transfer of all political power to the left-wingers, closing of Latvian schools and restoration of the Soviet time street names, the FF/LNNK Saeima faction considered its duty to be actively involved in the work of the Riga City Council. Ant it will be FF/LNNK deputies who will stabilise the positions of Riga Mayor G.Bojars. Diena, Rigas Balss