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

President Ulmanis told the representatives of the Gulbene district authorities that he was planning to nominate a candidate for Prime-Minister on Wednesday, January 29. Last Friday Andris Skele had a meeting with "Latvijas Cels" ("LC") representatives. He is reported to say that participation of "LC" was essential for the forming of a new Cabinet. Earlier Skele said that he did not exclude the possibility of forming a government without one of the tree largest factions. Still, Skele's advisor Liepnieks told the press that the statement made by the Prime-Minister did not mean that he planned to do without "Saimnieks", "Tevzemei un Brivibai" ("TB") or "LC" in his new Cabinet. "Saimnieks", "LC" and "TB" representatives had a meeting last Saturday. The press was not admitted to the meeting held in the office of the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" Public Foundation. Its participants refused to give any comments on the issues discussed and Maris Grinblats ("TB") was the only politician who agreed to talk to journalists. He responded to their questions over an intercom unit saying that the press would receive information on the meeting only after the three parties reach a certain agreement. President Ulmanis held meetings with representatives of the "Farmers' Union" ("FU")/the Christian Democratic, the LNNK, "Tautai un Taisnibai" and the Unity Party factions. The meetings showed that the small factions supported Skele's candidature. These factions could also benefit from one of the major factions leaving the Cabinet giving an opportunity to take several seats in the cabinet top the smaller factions. The only faction that would not vote for Skele is Zigerist's party. The party criticizes the secret negotiations and suggests to re-elect the Saeima. "LC" has not decided on candidate to support yet. Boris Tsilevich believes that "LC" will support Krasts of "TB". Having Krasts for Prime-Minister, according to Tsilevich, may help "LC" to win competition with "TB" during next elections, since "TB" will be the one to blame for recession and declining living standards. He compares governing factions (with an exception of "TB") with large companies trying to agree on the spheres of their interests. All posts in the Cabinet that are important from an economic point of view are taken by either "Saimnieks" or "LC" members.

President Ulmanis told the representatives of the Gulbene district authorities that he was planning to nominate a candidate for Prime-Minister on Wednesday, January 29. Last Friday Andris Skele had a meeting with "Latvijas Cels" ("LC") representatives. He is reported to say that participation of "LC" was essential for the forming of a new Cabinet. Earlier Skele said that he did not exclude the possibility of forming a government without one of the tree largest factions. Still, Skele's advisor Liepnieks told the press that the statement made by the Prime-Minister did not mean that he planned to do without "Saimnieks", "Tevzemei un Brivibai" ("TB") or "LC" in his new Cabinet. "Saimnieks", "LC" and "TB" representatives had a meeting last Saturday. The press was not admitted to the meeting held in the office of the "Tevzemei un Brivibai" Public Foundation. Its participants refused to give any comments on the issues discussed and Maris Grinblats ("TB") was the only politician who agreed to talk to journalists. He responded to their questions over an intercom unit saying that the press would receive information on the meeting only after the three parties reach a certain agreement. President Ulmanis held meetings with representatives of the "Farmers' Union" ("FU")/the Christian Democratic, the LNNK, "Tautai un Taisnibai" and the Unity Party factions. The meetings showed that the small factions supported Skele's candidature. These factions could also benefit from one of the major factions leaving the Cabinet giving an opportunity to take several seats in the cabinet top the smaller factions. The only faction that would not vote for Skele is Zigerist's party. The party criticizes the secret negotiations and suggests to re-elect the Saeima. "LC" has not decided on candidate to support yet. Boris Tsilevich believes that "LC" will support Krasts of "TB". Having Krasts for Prime-Minister, according to Tsilevich, may help "LC" to win competition with "TB" during next elections, since "TB" will be the one to blame for recession and declining living standards. He compares governing factions (with an exception of "TB") with large companies trying to agree on the spheres of their interests. All posts in the Cabinet that are important from an economic point of view are taken by either "Saimnieks" or "LC" members. Diena, Neatkariga, SM