Supporters of a party that represents the interests of Latvia's large Russian-speaking minority has gathered outside parliament to protest the exclusion of the party from talks on a new coalition government.
Police said up to 2,000 people protested outside the parliament building in Riga as the legislature held its first session since snap elections on September 17.
The Harmony Center party won one-third of the seats to become the biggest party in parliament at the election, but the three center-right parties planning a coalition excluded it from the talks due to what they said were policy differences.
Harmony Center says it was excluded due to traditional Latvian mistrust of influence from Russia.
However, coalition talks have not gone smoothly, as six members of one of the parties resigned on Ocotber 16, meaning the would-be coalition no longer has a majority.
About one-third of Latvia's 2.2 million people speak Russian as a first language.
compiled from agency reports
Police said up to 2,000 people protested outside the parliament building in Riga as the legislature held its first session since snap elections on September 17.
The Harmony Center party won one-third of the seats to become the biggest party in parliament at the election, but the three center-right parties planning a coalition excluded it from the talks due to what they said were policy differences.
Harmony Center says it was excluded due to traditional Latvian mistrust of influence from Russia.
However, coalition talks have not gone smoothly, as six members of one of the parties resigned on Ocotber 16, meaning the would-be coalition no longer has a majority.
About one-third of Latvia's 2.2 million people speak Russian as a first language.
compiled from agency reports