The Department of Justice is currently working on the Bilingualism Restriction Act, which provides for restrictions on the use of the Russian language in workplaces and public places.
This law could be a continuation of the language referendum held in February 2012, in which 74.8% of voters voted against Russian as the second state language.
Although the referendum reaffirmed the desire of residents to have Latvian as the only state language, the minister pointed out that “in practice, the long-term consequences of Russification are such that the practice of simultaneous use of Latvian and Russian in everyday communication, places of service and workplaces has become entrenched.”
In the near future, such a law may be sent to a meeting of the parties forming the government. After that, it will be possible to submit it to the Sejm.
