By Kirill Filimonov | 18.02.2012 | 20:15 ET in Europe

Referendum on Russian language in Latvia: turnout is high

Turnout in referendum on the status of Russian language in Latvia reached 51 per cent by 4 pm (3 pm CET). This is much higher than the turnout in previous referenda in the country. Central Election Committee expects early results to be published at 11 pm.

Latvian Central Election Committee | Photo: RIA Novosti

President Andris Berzins, Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis, and Seimas Speaker Solvita Aboltina voted against Russian language, unlike Riga mayor and the leader of pro-Russian language party Harmony Centre Neil Ushakov who has supported the proposal.

The remarkable split among Latvian politicians reflects a deep controversy in the Latvian society caused by the idea to make Russian the second official language. Russian minority believes this is a way to stop what they call discrimination, as they have to pass Latvian language exam to be recongnised citizens. Other Latvians consider Russian language as a vestige of the Soviet occupation era.

The Baltic Review keeps following the news from Latvia.

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