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

July 5, the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans announced on an early morning address on the state radio his decision to submit his resignation paper to the President on July 7 explaining that he was forced to resign after a ruling coalition member FF/LNNK signed an agreement with the opposition People’s Party July 3. Politicians from FF/LNNK respond that their move was a reaction to Kristopans’ attempts to throw

July 5, the Latvian Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans announced on an early morning address on the state radio his decision to submit his resignation paper to the President on July 7 explaining that he was forced to resign after a ruling coalition member FF/LNNK signed an agreement with the opposition Peoples Party July 3. Politicians from FF/LNNK respond that their move was a reaction to Kristopans attempts to throw Fatherland out of the coalition. The parties have started negotiations about the possible models of the new government with Peoples Party and Fatherland as the key players to be joined either by Social Democrats and the New Party or Latvias Way. The prime minister is said to come from one of the two main parties. CM reports that the new coalition will be right-wing and the Social Democrats may turn not invited. (Diena, Neatkariga, Jauna Avize, CM, BB, Chas, Panorama Latvii).

In response to the requests and advice from different European officials to postpone the vote on the final version of the Language law the parliament faction FF/LNNK has decided to support the vote to stay on agenda as they do not consider the inconcrete objections of the foreign institutions as a sufficient reason to delay the vote. Head of the faction said the law could be amended later if the EU presents objections concerning specific articles of the law. Social Democrats and People’s Party expressed a similar position although they are still going to look at the issue July 6 and 7. Latvia’s Way politicians say the law should stay on July 8 agenda but before the vote it should be sent to the Parliament’s Legal Office to get rid of legal contradictions. For Human Rights in United Latvia is in general critical about the law. The New Party will release their stand on Wednesday, July 7. President Guntis Ulmanis in an interview to the national radio July 5 mentioned that the law should be considered after the new government is in place. The president-elect Ms. Freiberga will possibly initiate reviewing of separate articles of the law, she said that Latvia has only two choices - to observe the OSCE recommendations as that is a requirement of the EU legislation or to risk not to be asked to join the EU. Head of the Commission for Education Dzintars Abikis believes that as far as the articles concerning the language in business where OSCE recommendations have not been observed Saeima should support the suggestions coming from the Legal Office and not the version accepted by the commission. (

In response to the requests and advice from different European officials to postpone the vote on the final version of the Language law the parliament faction FF/LNNK has decided to support the vote to stay on agenda as they do not consider the inconcrete objections of the foreign institutions as a sufficient reason to delay the vote. Head of the faction said the law could be amended later if the EU presents objections concerning specific articles of the law. Social Democrats and Peoples Party expressed a similar position although they are still going to look at the issue July 6 and 7. Latvias Way politicians say the law should stay on July 8 agenda but before the vote it should be sent to the Parliaments Legal Office to get rid of legal contradictions. For Human Rights in United Latvia is in general critical about the law. The New Party will release their stand on Wednesday, July 7. President Guntis Ulmanis in an interview to the national radio July 5 mentioned that the law should be considered after the new government is in place. The president-elect Ms. Freiberga will possibly initiate reviewing of separate articles of the law, she said that Latvia has only two choices - to observe the OSCE recommendations as that is a requirement of the EU legislation or to risk not to be asked to join the EU. Head of the Commission for Education Dzintars Abikis believes that as far as the articles concerning the language in business where OSCE recommendations have not been observed Saeima should support the suggestions coming from the Legal Office and not the version accepted by the commission. (Diena)

Russian-language papers

Russian-language papers Chas, BB, CM express their surprise about the Latvian parliamentarians not going to listen to advice offered by the European officials as three parliament parties, ethno-radicals(BB), that makes a majority have decided to support the current version of the law. CM and Chas inform about a rally organized by the Equality movement to take place by the parliament building on the day of the vote to protest to the current version of the law as the draft law does not correspond to the European regulations and can considerably aggravate the situation of non-Latvian population.