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.

• Government rejected the proposal to mark December 7 – Orthodox Christmas - as an official holiday
• Political technologist, head of the PR company Epicentrs Andrey Voroncov about the Repses government
• Vesti Segodnya comments on the government.

On Monday following Prime Minister Repse’s suggestions the government rejected the proposal

On Monday following Prime Minister Repses suggestions the government rejected the proposal of Special Task Minister of the Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks to mark December 7 – Orthodox Christmas - as an official holiday. The Prime Minister noted the Orthodox Christmas could actually split society and that a broader public discussion about this issue is needed. Diena, Vechernaya Riga, Chas, Vesti Segodnya, Telegraf, Panorama Latvii

Chas interviews political technologist, head of the PR company Epicentrs Andrey Voroncov about the Repses government. Regarding the stance of the government towards ethnic issues, Voroncov says that the ethnic aspect is of very small importance for this government. He believes that Russians in Latvia should protect their rights in accordance with international norms. Concerning the implementation of education reform in 2004, Voroncov is convinced that the reform will be postponed as schools are not prepared for it. He also believes that the head of the Naturalisation Board should be a person who him/herself has undergone naturalisation and not the person who is a member of a political party.

Vesti Segodnya comments on the government. Regarding the stance of parties presented in the Parliament towards ethnic and integration issues, the newspaper writes that in the 8th Saeima only FHRUL stands for the rights of minorities and there are no liberal parties, such as Latvias Way and the Social Democrats, which were in the parliament in the 7th Saeima.