Russians mustn't win Latvian elections

Parliamentary elections will take place in Latvia on October 2. The online daily Ir urges the population to go out and vote to prevent the rise to power of a Moscow-friendly government. Because this "would complete our withdrawal from international credit programmes and purchase Russia's good will at the price of the citizenship question [giving full Latvian citizenship to the Russian minority] and the issue of Russian as second official language. It would sell off the state enterprises and devalue the country's currency. By contrast, if the current coalition under Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis remained in office there would be continuity in foreign policy, stability in financial policy and further economic recovery. And it would thwart the Kremlin's policy of forcing a Moscow-friendly government on Latvia. Voters of Russian origin must also realise that rather than representing their interests, these politicians serve those of an authoritarian regime in a neighbouring country. Only then would there be a real chance for integration [of the Russian minority]."

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