Tougher language requirements become law: Constitution amended despite OSCE, Russian opposition

  • 1999-01-07
  • Rebecca Santana
TALLINN - Controversial language requirements for all elected officials were added to the Estonian Constitution on New Year's Eve despite objections from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.The law, passed by the Parliament Dec. 15, was signed into law by President Lennart Meri Dec. 31. The amendments require all elected officials and candidates for public office, either on the national or municipal level, to display proficiency in Estonian. Russian-speaking parties in Estonia and Russian lawmakers in Moscow have harshly criticized the amendments.As it stands now, candid...
 
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