An alliance of left-leaning and Russian supporting political groups in Latvia has merged into an official party.
The group known as For Human Rights in United Latvia (or PCTVL) voted to merge into a single party during a conference on May 19.
Until now, the group has operated as an alliance of parties, and has weathered mergers, splits and disagreements.
The new single party said it would stand for "equality and social justice", and to build a "democratic and multicultural Republic of Latvia."
The group, which stands for the interests of the Russian minority, has previously supported introducing Russian as an official second language in Latvia, and granting citizenship to all residents.
Guests at the PCTVL annual conference included members of the Russian State Duma, as well as representatives from the Russian, Belarusian and Spanish embassies. Representatives of Estonia's Russian organization Nochnoy Dozor (Night Watch) were greeted with applause at the conference.
PCTVL currently holds six seats in Latvia's present parliament.
