Social media uproar over controversial immigration policies outlined in the integration plan
Ministry of Culture's Plan for a Cohesive Society Stirs Debate
The Ministry of Culture's plan for a cohesive and civil society, which was approved during the government meeting on January 18, 2022, and is currently open for public consultation until May 20, has sparked a debate on social networking sites.
The plan, which is approximately 70 pages long, focuses on integrating people already in Latvia into society, according to the Minister of Culture, Agnese Logina. The target group for the joint societal plan developed by the Ministry of Culture between 2022 and 2023 primarily includes civil society actors engaged in democracy promotion, social inclusion, and anti-discrimination efforts.
The plan also contains a sentence about third-country nationals, stating the percentage of these individuals who first obtained a permanent residence permit per year, PMLP, in 2019 (1.1%) and 2027 (2.2%). However, it's important to note that this percentage projection has no connection with attracting new immigrants, according to the Ministry of Culture.
Ināra Mūrniece, deputy of the Saeima of the National Alliance, noted that the plan appears to double the number of third-country nationals from 1.1 percent to 2.2 percent within a few years. This sentence has caused widespread uproar and discussion on the social networking site "X".
The Ministry of Culture has clarified that the percentage of third-country nationals mentioned in the document is not a ministerial plan, but a projection by researchers in 2020. The plan also states that the permanent residence permit can be obtained by residing in the country for five years and knowing the official language.
As of December 31, 2021, nearly 50,000 permanent residence permits were valid in Latvia. In 2021, 786 permanent residence permits were issued, indicating a slight decrease in the previous years.
A press release has been distributed by the party National Alliance regarding the plan. The discussion on the social networking site has concluded that the Ministry of Culture's plan may suggest an increase in immigration. However, the Ministry of Culture maintains that the plan is about integrating people already in Latvia into society, not attracting new immigrants.
The Ministry of Culture's plan for a cohesive and civil society is available for public consultation on the draft legislative portal. Interested individuals are encouraged to review and provide feedback on the plan.
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