• President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers calls for consolidation of society
• Saeima again has refused the draft law on granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections
• Salesperson of a shop “Narvesen” who refused to speak Russian to a costumer appeals to all ethnic Latvian service sector workers to speak with clients only in Latvian language
• Ukrainian citizen appealed for asylum in Latvia

Telegraf reports that yesterday, in an interview with Latvian national radio station, the President of Latvia Valdis Zatlers has called for consolidation of society. Commenting the split in the society demonstrated by different views of Latvian and Russian speaking residents on the events in Georgia, the President has stated that it is necessary to reverse the situation and to do everything to make Russian residents of Latvia believe they belong to the state. Sociologist Arnis Kaktins in an interview with the newspaper has stated that course for consolidation of society could only make sense if political elite sets long-term tasks such as ensuring economic stability, raising welfare level, decreasing crime rate. According to Mr. Kaktins, split in the society is much more beneficial for Latvian politicians, because, presently, they are interested only in short-term gains such as victory in elections.

Yesterday, the Saeima again has refused the draft law on granting non-citizens voting rights in municipal elections proposed by the party For Human Rights in United Latvia (FHRUL). During the Saeima’s session about 50 persons held a picket near the Saeima building in support of the proposals. Chas, Latvijas Avize

Vesti Segodnya reports that a woman, salesperson of a shop “Narvesen” who refused to speak Russian to a costumer (reported on 9 August) appeals to all ethnic Latvian service sector workers to speak with clients who are permanent residents of Latvia only in Latvian language. The woman also states that the names of employers who do not agree with such attitude of their employees will be published on the internet site of nationalistic party “All for Latvia!”

Latvijas Avize reports that the Border Guard Service in Liepaja (city in the Western part of Latvia) has received an application for asylum from Ukrainian citizen.