Only 28% of residents support granting Latvian citizenship to Kasparov

RIGA, Nov 19 - Only 28 percent of Latvian residents support granting Latvian citizenship to Russian chess legend and opposition politician Gary Kasparov, according to a survey carried out by the market, social and media research company "TNS Latvia" and the LNT television channel.

58 percent of Latvian residents believe that Kasparovs should not be granted Latvian citizenship. Those who do not wish to see Kasparov as a Latvian citizen are mostly Russian speakers, residents of Riga, as well as non-citizens.

14 percent of those surveyed did not have an opinion on this matter.

As reported, Kasparov has applied for Latvian citizenship.

The application has been filled out in Latvian with all relevant documents attached.

Kasparov's representatives in Latvia hope to collect signatures from ten Saeima members in the very near future to place his citizenship request on the pending agenda for Saeima review.

The Citizenship Law stipulates that a person who has rendered special meritorious service for the benefit of Latvia may be admitted to a Latvian citizenship by a decision of Saeima.
leta.lv

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