Latvia Says 'No' on Russian as Official Language
World | February 19, 2012, Sunday // 13:00| views
Nearly 80% of voters in Latvia are against Russian becoming the second official language in the country. Photo by dw-world.com
The majority of citizens in Latvia have voted against declaring Russian as the second official language in the country, dealing a heavy blow to its supporters.
According to flash results of the Central Electoral Commission from about two thirds of the voting polls, nearly 80% have voted against respective amendments in the Constitution.
Only 21.5% have voted "for" in the referendum, with a very high poll activity on Saturday – 60.2%.
The vote has also brought up the issue of whether Russian could become an official language of the EU.
Under Latvian legislation, the initiative would have to be backed by 50% of the 1.5 million eligible voters to pass.
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