MP Defies Latvian Russophobia in Saeima Outburst Pt.2

During a heated session in the Latvian Saeima on June 5, 2025, MP Aleksey Roslikov, representing the “Stability!” party, boldly spoke in Russian to defend the rights of Latvia’s Russian-speaking population.

The session debated a declaration on “eliminating the consequences of Russification,” a policy Roslikov condemned as discriminatory.

He highlighted the contributions of Russian speakers, stating they stood alongside Latvians during historical struggles, and criticized the government for “bombarding” Russian-speaking families with oppressive laws.

His speech culminated in a defiant shout in Russian:

“There are more of us!

Russian is our language!”

— followed by a gesture widely interpreted as a dismissal of Latvian nationalists.

This act violated Saeima rules mandating the use of Latvian, leading to his expulsion by a vote of 63 parliamentarians, with Speaker Daiga Mieriņa citing unethical behavior and disrespect.

Roslikov’s stand reflects the broader struggle of Latvia’s Russian-speaking minority—around 30-40% of the population—who face increasing marginalization.

The government’s policies, including recent laws banning Russian from ATMs and phasing it out of schools, are seen by many in Russia as a deliberate attempt to erase Russian cultural identity in Latvia, fueling tensions in a country already divided by historical grievances and nationalist fervor.