• FF/LNIM’s head Roberts Zile has stated that ethnic Latvian parties should prevent victory of what he calls Russian parties in upcoming municipal elections
• Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with academician Nils Muiznieks about a book “Manufacturing Enemy Images? Russian Media Portrayal of Latvia”
• State Border Guard Service detained three Chinese and one Russian citizen for illegal crossing of Latvian border
• Jevgenijs Osipovs established a new political party “Osipovs’ Party”
• Most popular parties in Latvia in September: the Concord Centre, the Union of Greens and Farmers and the New Era

Newspapers report about a meeting of the members of right-wing political party For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM. Party’s head Roberts Zile has stated that ethnic Latvian parties should coordinate their activities in municipal elections to prevent victory of what he calls Russian parties. Mr. Zile believes that possible accession of Russian parties to power in Riga city council in the context of present aggressive external Russia’s policy is a threat for Latvian statehood. Members of the FF/LNIM also consider that Latvia should pay more attention to the growth of number of Russian citizens in Latvia and on Russia’s statements that it is ready to protect its citizens abroad. Chas, Vesti Segodnya

Vesti Segodnya prints an interview with academician Nils Muiznieks, who edited a book “Manufacturing Enemy Images? Russian Media Portrayal of Latvia” issued by the University of Latvia.” According to Mr. Muiznieks, Russia cannot forgive Latvia and other Baltic states their unwillingness to integrate into the post-Soviet space after collapse of the USSR. Therefore, nearly every time Russian mass media covers events in Latvia, the country is portrayed as an enemy by mentioning violation of rights of Russian speaking residents.

The State Border Guard Service has detained three Chinese and one Russian citizen for illegal crossing of Latvian border. All the detained persons did not have personal identification documents, visas or permits for stay in Latvia. Vesti Segodnya

Leader of former nationalistic party “Latvian National Democratic Party” (LNDP) (which was refused re-registration on the grounds of falsification of documents) Jevgenijs Osipovs has established a new political party “Osipovs’ Party.” According to the statement of Jevgenijs Osipovs, the new party will continue activities of the LNDP, which include recognition of Russian speaking residents’ equality to ethnic Latvians and recognition of Russian language as official state language. Latvijas Avize

According to the latest public opinion survey held by the market and social research company “Latvijas fakti”, the Concord Centre is the most popular party in Latvia – 10,9% of Latvian citizens would vote for it if the Saeima elections are held in September. The Union of Greens and Farmers is supported by 5,3 %, the New Era by 5.1%. Other parties are supported by less than 5% of Latvian citizens. However, 34.4 % of respondents are not decided whom to vote for yet, while 17.8% of respondents would not participate the elections. Diena