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.

• Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis and coalition partners do not support the new Ministers of Justice proposals to restrict naturalisation
• FHRUL proposes to hand over the Naturalisation Board under the auspices of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration
• Interview with MP Visvaldis Lacis (Union of Greens and Farmers)
• Sociolinguistic study on language proficiency in Latvia

Diena reports that the Prime Minister Aigars Kalvitis (Peoples Party) and the heads of parliamentary factions representing the government coalition have not supported the proposals of the new Minister of Justice Gaidis Berzins (FF/LNIM) to restrict naturalisation. According to the coalition partners, the government declaration does not stipulate the restriction of naturalisation process, and any amendments to the Citizenship Law can be drawn only with the support of all coalition partners.

The parliamentary faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has submitted the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law to the parliament. FHRUL proposes to hand over the Naturalisation Board under the auspices of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration. Presently, the Naturalisation Board works under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice headed by Gaidis Berzins (FF/LNIM).

The parliamentary faction For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL) has submitted the draft amendments to the Citizenship Law to the parliament. FHRUL proposes to hand over the Naturalisation Board under the auspices of the Secretariat of the Special Assignments Minister for Social Integration. Presently, the Naturalisation Board works under the auspices of the Ministry of Justice headed by Gaidis Berzins (FF/LNIM). Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya interviews the MP Visvaldis Lacis (Union of Greens and Farmers) known for his radical nationalistic statements. Visvaldis Lacis has stated that strengthening of the state languages positions and introducing stricter criteria in naturalisation process will be priorities of his activities in the new Saeima.

Weekly magazine

Weekly magazine Republika.lv prints an article on the results of a sociolinguistic study conducted by the State Language Agency in collaboration with the consulting firm Data Service. According to the study, 19% of residents in Latgale region and 14% - in Riga and Riga region use Russian language as the only communication language. 90% of economically active population can understand information for consumers in Russian, and 87% - in Latvian. The study also reveals that Russian language is used primarily in the area of industry, transport and consumer service, while Latvian language dominates in legal service and agricultural sector. Economically active persons who are able to use only one language at work have the lowest level of income.