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

Yesterday

Yesterday the Latvian Way started talks with the New Party, For Fatherland and Freedom, and the Union of Social democrats about the basic principles of forming a new government. All mentioned parties are ready to support a Latvian Way candidate for the post of the Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans. Tomorrow the Latvian Way plans to meet with the Peoplss Party and the Peoples Harmony Party. Analysing these preliminary talks journalists raise a question about the reaction of the Peoples Party which obtain most seats in the new Saeima, to the initiative of the Latvian Way to form a government. Neatkariga, Diena, Chas

Analysing possibilities of having a stable government, Janis Penikis, a political scientist, argues that the decisive role in ensuring stability of a new government, will be played by the party discipline. According to Mr. Penikis, only two parties -

Analysing possibilities of having a stable government, Janis Penikis, a political scientist, argues that the decisive role in ensuring stability of a new government, will be played by the party discipline. According to Mr. Penikis, only two parties - the Latvian Way and For Fatherland and Freedom can be considered absolutely stable. Neatkariga

Yesterday Riga District Court sentenced Ilmars Purmalis who committed murder of three elderly people to death penalty. This is the third case when court sentences the highest punishment after the promulgation of the moratorium on death penalty by the State President.

Yesterday Riga District Court sentenced Ilmars Purmalis who committed murder of three elderly people to death penalty. This is the third case when court sentences the highest punishment after the promulgation of the moratorium on death penalty by the State President. Diena, Neatkariga

NeatkarigaandJauna Avizepublish foreign press reviews concerning the outcome of the referendum in Latvia. The foreign press expresses gladness about possibilities of Latvia to move closer to the EU, and to improve the relations with Russia. Foreign Affairs Ministries and politicians of many foreign countries have welcomed the outcome of the referendum in Latvia and stated that it would promote Latvias integration into Europe. Among them there are Austrian, German, Swedish, Finnish Foreign Affairs Ministers, the president of the European Liberal Party U.Elleman -Jensen, and Secretary General of the West European Union H, Kutiljero. The Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Ministry also has sent an official greeting. Diena

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs positively evaluates the results of the referendum. The newly elected Saeima has received a clear signal that the people of Latvia relates the long-term interest of their country with achieving of interethnic harmony, social integration, and observance of human rights norms.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs positively evaluates the results of the referendum. The newly elected Saeima has received a clear signal that the people of Latvia relates the long-term interest of their country with achieving of interethnic harmony, social integration, and observance of human rights norms. SM, Panorama Latvii

In Estonia politicians and mass media differently evaluate the outcome of the referendum in Latvia. Representatives of the Right wing parties argue that the outcome of the referendum will intensify international pressure on Estonia concerning the citizenship issue. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the results.

In Estonia politicians and mass media differently evaluate the outcome of the referendum in Latvia. Representatives of the Right wing parties argue that the outcome of the referendum will intensify international pressure on Estonia concerning the citizenship issue. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the results. Diena

According to experts interviewed by

According to experts interviewed by Diena, the referendum showed that the Latvian citizens do not want non-citizens to be pushed off from happenings in the country. At the same time, it shows that the most attention will have to be paid to instruction of the Latvian language and formation of civic consciousness. According to the head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane, the outcome of the referendum is the best that could have happened, and finally there will be put an end to this issue. Ms. Aldermane argues that only some 10-12 % of children born after 1991 will be registered as citizens. Due to different reasons parents will not rush to register their children as Latvian citizens. Nils Muiznieks states that the results of the referendum are more important than the election results. In sense of internal politics, this was a strong signal to non-citizens that we have not pushed them off. It is not a huge obligingness, nevertheless it is a step towards integration, Nils Muiznieks says. Minister of Education and Science J. Gaigals argues that the most attention will have to be paid to instruction of the Latvian language. All political parties which were against the abolishment of the amendments to Citizenship Law, are satisfied with the outcome of the referendum. It is not clear when exactly the amendments will come into force. At first the Central Electoral Commission should summarize official results of the referendum and inform the State President. Once the state president promulgates the law, it will come into force within fourteen days. Diena

The summarizing of the election results in 14 electoral districts in abroad shows that

The summarizing of the election results in 14 electoral districts in abroad shows that Peoples Party received the most votes - 658, then comes For Fatherland and Freedom - 398, the Latvian Way - 269, New Party- 142 , Peoples Harmony Party - 88 and social democrats - 77. Results of 17 other electoral districts in abroad where the voting took place by mail, will, be known today. Diena

SM publishes an article by Svetlana Gartovanova who argues that the Latgale region where 80% voters supported the amendments to the Citizenship Law saved the country.

P.S. In the press review of 5 October there is a mistake in information concerning the number of people participating in elections. The right version is that according to preliminary results, out of 1,313 739 persons having the right to vote, 952, 945 citizens casted their votes, and 946 590 ballots were considered valid.

P.S. In the press review of 5 October there is a mistake in information concerning the number of people participating in elections. The right version is that according to preliminary results, out of 1,313 739 persons having the right to vote, 952, 945 citizens casted their votes, and 946 590 ballots were considered valid. Neatkariga