The future of a Latvian Soviet-era monument has been questioned by the radial nationalist party All For Latvia, which has called for a public debate on the issue.
The party will hold a forum on July 3 to discuss the Victory Monument, which was built in honor of the Soviet Army's occupation of Riga at the end of World War II.
All For Latvia leader Raivis Dzintars pointed out that the present "silence in Latvia is strange" considering the recent events in Estonia where a similar Soviet-era war monument was been relocated.
"Why is no debate on this issue being held in our country? This is the next issue we want to address. We will invite the supporters of the opposite position, too. The monument must not necessarily be relocated or dismantled, but it is necessary to start a discussion on that," Dzintars said.
Representatives of Latvia's ruling parties told
BNS earlier that the issue of the Victory Monument's relocation is "not on the agenda" and would not be considered.Although Riga mayor Janis Birks has admitted that to him the Victory Monument in Riga evokes associations with Latvia's occupation, he said he is not going to talk about the dismantling of the monument.
