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.

• Candidate to the post of the Mayor of Riga Sarmite Elerte compared attempts to prevent introduction of euro in Latvia with referendum on Russian language
• Newspapers report about a congress of a party “For Native Language”

 

Candidate to the post of the Mayor of Riga Sarmite Elerte (the Unity) compared attempts to prevent introduction of euro in Latvia with referendum on Russian language held in February 2012. Mrs Elerte stated that populists and “reds” try to split the society in order to stop development of the country. The MP Iveta Grigule (Union of Greens and Farmers) who collects signatures of the MPs for support the referendum on introduction of euro categorically object to such statement and believes that actions aimed at preservation of national currency cannot be considered as anti-national activities, but Mrs Elerte exploits propagandistic methods and image of enemy. Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers report about a congress of a party “For Native Language” The party has approved its program and nominated one of its leaders Illarions Girs as a candidate to the post of the Mayor of the Riga. According to the party program, its key points are: granting Russian language status of official language in Latvia and liquidation of state language inspection; liquidation of non-citizenship; support to the movement for autonomy of Latgale region; right of every Latvian resident to have its own opinion about history, while the “theory of occupation” which splits the society into “natives” and the “descendents of occupants” is unacceptable. The candidate to the post of Mayor Mr Girs believes that Riga could become a centre of “Russian world” abroad, while the museum of occupation should be renamed as the museum of the friendship of nations. The party also renamed its self “Party of Lindermans – For Native Langauge” Vesti Segodnya, Diena, Latvijas Avize