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Latvia backs CEC decision to give up citizenship for non-citizens

CEC decision will ease tension in the society,Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovkis believes

RIGA, November 1 (Itar-Tass) — The Latvian leadership praises the Central Election Commission’s decision to give up a referendum on automatic citizenship for all non-citizens.

“The CEC studied the conformity of amendments to the law ‘On Citizenship’ to the Constitution. It is evident that the conclusions were negative that is why the CEC took such decision,” Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovkis said on Thursday.

In his words, the CEC decision will ease tension in the society.

The parliament’s speaker, Solvita Aboltina, believes that the CEC decision would facilitate political stability in Latvia. “Earlier we pointed out that this law run counter the succession of our state and the norms of the law on Citizenship. We believe that the decision was legitimate,” the prime minister stressed.

According to the public poll, 13.8 percent of respondents support the referendum on automatic citizenship for non-citizens and another 14.3 percent most likely support. A total of 33.6 percent of respondents are categorically against this initiative and 18.5 percent of citizens most likely come against. A total of 57.2 percent of non-citizens support the CEC decision and 19.2 percent most likely back this decision. The public poll was conducted on September 9-20 and involved 1,006 residents of Latvia at the age of 18 and older.

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