Integration and Minority Information Service: newsletter of 24 February 2009

Social scientist Brigita Zepa: Russian residents should join ethnic Latvian parties

Newspapers report about negotiations of the Saeima’s factions about establishment of a new government

Social scientist Brigita Zepa an interview to Vesti Segodnya states that establishment of civil society in Latvia could be promoted by more active involvement of Russian residents in ethnic Latvian parties. Mrs. Zepa believes that the fight of ethnic Latvian politicians against Russians helped them to hold their positions in the government but it did not help them to govern the state.

Today, the MEP from Latvia Tatjana Zdanoka opens an exhibition “Russians in Latvia” in the premises of the European Parliament (EP.) Also, a seminar “Rights of Russians in Latvia” is held today in the EP. Vesti Segodnya

Newspapers report about negotiations of the Saeima’s factions about establishment of a new government. The New Era considers that new ruling coalition should encompass as many parties as possible including the Concord Centre. In the meantime, the factions For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM and Latvia’s First party/Latvia’s Way strictly objects against inclusion of the Concord Centre in the government. According to the head of the Concord Centre Nils Usakovs, it is too early to speak about inclusion into the government, but an important aspect now is that the views of the New Era and the Concord Centre coincide on how to navigate the country out of economic crisis. Telegraf, Latvijas Avize, Diena

For further information:

Latvian Centre for Human Rights