Latvian Minister of the Interior Janis Dombrova (National Alliance) issued his first order on his first working day. A few hours later, he clarified.
Dombrova's first order mandates that all employees of the internal affairs system use only the state language while performing their official duties and in interactions with residents and colleagues.
However, on the same evening, Dombrova clarified in an additional statement that these rules do not apply to a number of cases.
In particular, besides Latvian, it is permissible to speak and understand other languages in cases where citizens are addressing the police, medical institutions, emergency services, and other institutions in situations of emergency medical assistance, commission of crimes, or other offenses.
Emergency services can also be called in Russian in the event of a fire, accident, or other emergencies.
As previously reported, on Thursday, the Saeima approved a new government headed by Andris Kulbergs (United List). The new government includes the parties "United List", National Alliance, "New Unity", and the Union of Greens and Farmers.
