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.

• Russia State Duma preferences by Russian voters in Latvia
• Sandra Kalniete on post-election relations with Russia
• Deputy Mayor of Riga Sergey Dolgopolov plans to bring together the left wing parties
• Excerpts from answers by Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks to questions in internet portal Delfi
• Martinjan Bekasov, the MP of Latvias Socialist Party parliamentary group continues his work as observer at the European Parliament
• Interview with Jakov Briskin who wants to establish the party For a Two-Community Latvia

More than 9,200 citizens of Russia (out of some 40,000 who live in Latvia) participated in the Russian State Duma elections by voting at the Russian embassy in Latvia. Of these, 33% have voted for the block Rodina (“Fatherland”), 31% - for Yedinaya Rosiya (“United Russia”), 18.7% - for the Communist Party of Russian Federation.  The proportions are similar for all three Baltic countries’ Russian citizens, although in Estonia Yedinstvo nudged into first place. The deputy chairman of the Rodina Dmitry Rogozin has stated that this block will implement a hard-line politics in order to defend the compatriots outside the Russia. The Russian Ambassador to Latvia comments on the new Duma and the effect on relations between Latvia and Russia by pointing out that the new Duma will undoubtedly seek to establish a dialogue, but that the real development of relations depends on Latvia’s position concerning the “Russian compatriots” and non-citizens as well as the upcoming minority education reform. Various Latvian politicians’ comments on the Russian elections also appear.

More than 9,200 citizens of Russia (out of some 40,000 who live in Latvia) participated in the Russian State Duma elections by voting at the Russian embassy in Latvia. Of these, 33% have voted for the block Rodina (Fatherland), 31% - for Yedinaya Rosiya (United Russia), 18.7% - for the Communist Party of Russian Federation. The proportions are similar for all three Baltic countries Russian citizens, although in Estonia Yedinstvo nudged into first place. The deputy chairman of the Rodina Dmitry Rogozin has stated that this block will implement a hard-line politics in order to defend the compatriots outside the Russia. The Russian Ambassador to Latvia comments on the new Duma and the effect on relations between Latvia and Russia by pointing out that the new Duma will undoubtedly seek to establish a dialogue, but that the real development of relations depends on Latvias position concerning the Russian compatriots and non-citizens as well as the upcoming minority education reform. Various Latvian politicians comments on the Russian elections also appear. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Chas

Foreign Minister Sandra Kalniete expresses the opinion in

Foreign Minister Sandra Kalniete expresses the opinion in Latvija avize that now that elections in Russia are over and there is a new Duma in place relations between Russian and Latvia should improve, and Russia should work on some concrete problems: the ratification of the border agreement, the signature of the repatriation of illegal immigrants by Russia and meeting of the Russian-Latvian interstate committee at the chairperson level.

Early in the next year the Deputy Mayor of Riga and People’s Harmony Party member Sergey Dolgopolov plans to establish a new organization, which would bring together the left wing parties. According to Dolgopolov, in the course of time this organization could be transformed to a left-wing party, which could participate at the next municipality elections. 

Early in the next year the Deputy Mayor of Riga and Peoples Harmony Party member Sergey Dolgopolov plans to establish a new organization, which would bring together the left wing parties. According to Dolgopolov, in the course of time this organization could be transformed to a left-wing party, which could participate at the next municipality elections. Diena, Latvijas Avize, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Vechernaya Riga

Latvijas avize publishes excerpts from a question-and-answer session with Special Task Minister for Societal Integration Nils Muiznieks, conducted by the internet portal Delfi. The Special Task Minister states that mistakes have been made in the area of minority policy over the last ten years, and now it is necessary to struggle with the resulting alienation and resentment by minorities. He acknowledges that there are some two-community features in Latvia, for example, on some issues of foreign policy, the understanding of history and in attitudes on some elements of national policy. There is also certain segregation in the area of education and media, but many common values, the increasing level of Latvian language knowledge, the high and stable number of inter-ethnic marriage and the fact that economic opportunities are not closely related to ethnicity.

Martinjan Bekasov, the MP of Latvia’s Socialist Party parliamentary group, continues his work as observer at the European Parliament despite for the decision of the Saeima to recall him from this post. Bekasov claims that he has the right to continue his work based on the criticism by some representatives of European parliament that the Saeima decision violates his rights to free speech, and because the European Parliament has not yet expressed an official opinion about the decision of Saeima.

Martinjan Bekasov, the MP of Latvias Socialist Party parliamentary group, continues his work as observer at the European Parliament despite for the decision of the Saeima to recall him from this post. Bekasov claims that he has the right to continue his work based on the criticism by some representatives of European parliament that the Saeima decision violates his rights to free speech, and because the European Parliament has not yet expressed an official opinion about the decision of Saeima. Latvijas avize, Telegraf

Latvijas Avize interviews Jakov Briskin, the representative of emerging party For a Two-Community Latvia. Briskin is a non-citizen and claims he should receive citizenship automatically, because he has worked for the good of Latvia by agitating for vote for the Peoples Front at the end of the Soviet period.