Why hundreds of Russians now face expulsion from Latvia | DW News

Key Concepts

• Residency Requirements: New laws in Latvia mandating Russian citizens to pass a Latvian language test and security check to maintain residency.
• Language Test: A mandatory examination of Latvian language proficiency, with a particular focus on written skills, as a condition for residency.
• Soviet Era Residents: Older Russian citizens who have lived in Latvia since the Soviet occupation and may not have learned Latvian.
• Deportation: The forced removal of individuals from a country, in this case, Russian citizens failing to meet residency requirements.
• Russian Propaganda: The use of specific cases, like the Latvian residency issue, by the Russian government to claim discrimination against Russian speakers.
• Social Cohesion and National Security: The Latvian government's justification for the new residency rules, aiming to integrate the population and protect national interests.
• Historical Context: The Soviet annexation of Latvia and subsequent encouragement of Russian settlement, leading to a significant Russian-speaking population.

New Residency Requirements for Russian Citizens in Latvia

Latvia has implemented new residency requirements for its Russian citizens, primarily driven by the country's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. These regulations mandate that Russian citizens residing in Latvia must pass a basic Latvian language test and undergo a security check to retain their residency status. The law has significantly impacted older residents who have lived in Latvia since the Soviet era but have not acquired proficiency in the Latvian language.

Case Study: Galina Nikolayeva

Galina Nikolayeva, a 74-year-old resident of Riga, exemplifies the challenges faced by many under the new rules. Having lived in Latvia for over six decades, she holds a Russian passport and has been ordered to leave the country by mid-October after failing to meet the residency requirements. Nikolayeva states she has not received her pension for three months, which she believes is intended to pressure her to leave. She avoided the mandatory Latvian language test, having previously failed a similar examination. She expresses fatigue with repeated testing, finding it too difficult at her age, and notes that she has not had a significant need to use Latvian in her daily life, given that 37% of Latvia's residents speak Russian as their native language. Nikolayeva, born in Uzbekistan, moved to Latvia at age seven and considers Latvia her homeland, having lived her entire adult life there, studied, married, and raised her daughter in the country. She hopes for leniency from the authorities, who have stated they will decide on each case individually.

Scale of the Situation and Impact

Approximately 30,000 Russian citizens were affected by the new residency rules. The majority of these individuals successfully passed the language test and maintained their residency. Around 2,600 people have voluntarily left Latvia. Several hundred, who did apply for the test, have been granted extensions before facing potential expulsion. A significant hurdle for many, particularly the elderly, has been the written component of the language exam, even if they possess conversational skills. Individuals over 75 years old are exempt from the language requirements, a category Nikolayeva narrowly misses.

Historical Context of the Russian-Speaking Population in Latvia

The presence of a large Russian-speaking population in Latvia is rooted in history. Following World War II, Latvia was occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union for 50 years. During this period, Russians were encouraged to settle in Latvia, and Russian became the dominant language in the public sphere. After Latvia re-established its independence in 1991, Latvian became the sole state language. However, Russian remained widely used, and many ethnic Russians did not feel compelled to learn Latvian, often living within Russian-speaking communities. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 prompted Latvia to more decisively encourage this demographic to learn Latvian.

Latvian Government's Stance and International Reactions

The Latvian government asserts that mass deportations are not planned and emphasizes that most affected individuals complied with the regulations, with many leaving voluntarily. They are currently reviewing cases individually. The Latvian Prime Minister has acknowledged that Western partners have raised questions about these measures, and that the situation is being exploited by Russian propaganda, which claims discrimination against Russian speakers in Latvia. Despite these concerns, Latvia maintains that the law will not be reversed, and those who do not comply will be required to leave.

Ethnic Russians in Latvia and National Security Concerns

Ethnic Russians constitute 25% of Latvia's population of 1.8 million. While most ethnic Russians are Latvian citizens, speak Latvian, and are well-integrated, a significant number, particularly those who do not speak Latvian, feel a cultural affinity towards Russia. This has led to tensions, especially after 2022, when Latvia took steps to limit Russian culture, including banning Russian state media and removing Soviet-era monuments. Latvian authorities justify these actions as necessary for social cohesion and national security, while some members of the Russian minority feel alienated and discriminated against.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

The situation in Latvia highlights the complex interplay of national security, historical legacies, and minority rights in the context of geopolitical events. Latvia's new residency requirements for Russian citizens, particularly the language test, aim to foster national unity and security. While the majority of affected individuals have complied, a segment, primarily elderly residents with deep ties to Latvia but holding Russian passports, face uncertain futures. The Latvian government is navigating international scrutiny and Russian propaganda while upholding its new legal framework, emphasizing individual case reviews and the necessity of these measures for the nation's stability.