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.

• European Parliament elections in Latvia
• Approximately 40 people participate at the picket against discrimination of non-citizens
• The Wall Street Journal about the European Unions Russian Party
• Interview with the former Prime Minister of Latvia Ivars Godmanis about society integration issues

Only 41,2% citizens of Latvia participated in the European Parliament (EP) elections. According to the provisional results announced yesterday by the Central Election Commission, 29,82% of citizens gave their votes to the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM, 19,68% – to the New Era, 10,71% – to the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia, 6,65% – to the People’s Party and 6,52% – to the Latvian Way.

Only 41,2% citizens of Latvia participated in the European Parliament (EP) elections. According to the provisional results announced yesterday by the Central Election Commission, 29,82% of citizens gave their votes to the party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM, 19,68% – to the New Era, 10,71% – to the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia, 6,65% – to the Peoples Party and 6,52% – to the Latvian Way. Chas and Telegraf print comments of political scientists and politicians on the outcome of elections. For example, political scientist Janis Ikstens believes that results are indicative of the residents dissatisfaction with the work of the current government. Diena, Neatkariga Rita Avize, Latvijas Avize, Rigas Balss, Vesti Segodnya, Chas, Telegraf

Approximately 40 people participated in the picket against discrimination of the non-citizens, which was organised by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and took place on Saturday near one of the poll-stations. Picketers called the state to grant rights to participate in the elections to non-citizens.

Approximately 40 people participated in the picket against discrimination of the non-citizens, which was organised by the union For Human Rights in the United Latvia and took place on Saturday near one of the poll-stations. Picketers called the state to grant rights to participate in the elections to non-citizens. Chas

The Wall Street Journal has compared the European Union’s Russian Party, which is being established by the Russian-speaking representatives of the six EU states, with the pro-Soviet Interfront movement in the Baltics during the period of regaining state independence. Author of the article, representative of the Jamestown Foundation Vladimir Socor, observes that although majority of Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian residents are looking forward to the future, there are people among them that are trying to bring along ‘relicts from the Soviet past’ into the heart of the European Union. 

The Wall Street Journal has compared the European Unions Russian Party, which is being established by the Russian-speaking representatives of the six EU states, with the pro-Soviet Interfront movement in the Baltics during the period of regaining state independence. Author of the article, representative of the Jamestown Foundation Vladimir Socor, observes that although majority of Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian residents are looking forward to the future, there are people among them that are trying to bring along ‘relicts from the Soviet past into the heart of the European Union. Latvijas Avize

Chas features an interview with the former Prime Minister of Latvia Ivars Godmanis about society integration issues. Ivars Godmanis stresses that it is impossible to start negotiations until extent of the other sides demands is not clear. He believes that as long as Russian-speakers continue to increase their demands for education and language rights, ethnic Latvians will feel as if the final goal of the process is to join Latvia to the Russian Federation. And, says Godmanis, there are always radical politicians around who are ready to feed these suspicions.