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 Review

Press Review

Last night Prime-Minister Skele suggested yet another model for forming the Cabinet. It gives the post of Minister of Justice to

Last night Prime-Minister Skele suggested yet another model for forming the Cabinet. It gives the post of Minister of Justice to "Tevzemei un Brivibai" as well as two other posts. The rest two large factions ("Latvijas Cels" and "Saimnieks") are to hold tree posts each. The smaller factions ("The Farmers Union"/the Christian Democrats, "Tautai un Taisnibai" and the LNNK) are to nominate their candidates for four posts. Today (12 February) Andris Skele expects the faction to comment on his proposals. The most serious problem may be caused by "TB" and "Saimnieks" suggesting their candidates for the post of Minister of Justice. "TB" has nominated current Minister of Justice for the post while "Saimnieks" has nominated Head of the Saeima Juridical Committee Juris Kaksitis candidate for the same post. "TB" leaders Maris Grinblats and Janis Straume told "DIENA" yesterday that the faction could leave the governing coalition in case it did not receive the posts of Minister of Justice and Minister of Economics. "Saimnieks" representatives told the press that the faction was not going to leave the coalition should it not be given the post of Minister of Justice. The three smaller factions demand five posts in the Cabinet instead of four offered by Skele (Minister of Agriculture - Dilba, Minister of Culture - Piks (both of "The Farmers' Union"), Minister for EU Affairs - Kirsteins (the LNNK), Minister of Defense - Krastins (the LNNK), Minister of Welfare - Saulitis ("Tautai un Taisnibai"). "TB" does not insist on retaining the post of Minister of Welfare. Andris Skele has not named his candidate for Minister of Finance yet. Diena, SM A group of Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs experts had consultations with their Latvian colleagues in Riga. The aim of the visit was to review the existing agreements between the two countries and to discuss the drafting of agreements yet to be concluded. Head of the Russian expert group Sergey Prihodko told "SM" that the Latvian side was focusing mainly on economic agreements while Russia was concerned about resolving "humanitarian problems". Those problems, according to Prihodko, were inhibiting the progress in relations between the two countries. SM

Boris Tsilevich believes that the Social-Democrats will win a considerable number of votes in the upcoming local elections. He explains the expected tendency by disillusionment of poorer voters in centrist and nationalist parties. Most of the voters being ethnic Latvians, the Social-Democrats are to promote the concept of "the priority of ethnic Latvians' interests". Their election campaign will be based on populist slogans. A similar tactic was used by Zigerist's and Kauls' parties in last elections. Both parties lost a considerable part of their popularity proving to be unable to influence important decision both on the local and national level.

Boris Tsilevich believes that the Social-Democrats will win a considerable number of votes in the upcoming local elections. He explains the expected tendency by disillusionment of poorer voters in centrist and nationalist parties. Most of the voters being ethnic Latvians, the Social-Democrats are to promote the concept of "the priority of ethnic Latvians' interests". Their election campaign will be based on populist slogans. A similar tactic was used by Zigerist's and Kauls' parties in last elections. Both parties lost a considerable part of their popularity proving to be unable to influence important decision both on the local and national level. SM