Latvia’s language referendum raises question of national identity

Latvians said 'no' to the adoption of Russian as the second official language of their country in a referendum held on the 18 February 2012, despite calls by the substantial minority of Russian speakers in the country calling for the move.

Russia said that Latvia had 'breached its international obligations' after the Baltic state declined to allow a Russian observer mission at the referendum.

Commentators said that the referendum was bound to fail. Its significance lay in the polarisation of Latvian politics that it represented.

• Primary Source

IFES: Election Guide: Latvia: Referendum, 18.2.12 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/oee.php?num=755

RIA Novosti, 19.2.12: Russia Hits Out At Latvia Referendum http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120219/171400820.html

The Economist, 14.2.12: Latvia's referendum. What's my language? http://www.economist.com/blogs/easternapproaches/2012/02/latvias-referendum

Wikipedia: Latvian constitutional referendum, 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latvian_constitutional_referendum,_2012

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