Political Leaders: Latvia

Leaders of Latvia
(Republic of Latvia)

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Look for biographies of the leaders (in Spanish) at CIDOB's website. See also the CIDOB page detailing the Latvian Governments since 1990.

Former parties and brands: DPS: Democratic Party "Saimnieks" (1995-1999 > LDP) - JKP: New Conservative Party (2014-2022 = Konservatīvie) - JL: New Era (2002-2011 > Vienotiba) - JP: New Party (1998-2002) - KPV LV: Who owns the state? (2016-2020 = PCL) - LC: Latvian Way (1993-2007 > LPP/LC) - LDP: Latvian Democratic Party (1999-2004) - LNNK: Latvian National Independence Movement/Latvian National Conservative Party (1988-1997 > TB/LNNK) - LNRP: Latvian National Reform Party (1997-?) - LPP: Latvia's First Party (2002-2007 > LPP/LC) - LPP/LC: Latvia's First Party and Latvia's Way (2007-2011) - LTF: Latvian Popular Front (1988-1993) - LVP: Latvian Unity Party (1993-2001) - PS: Civic Union (2008-2011 > Vienotiba) - RP: Reform Party (2012-2015) - SCP: Society for Other Politics (2008-2011 > Vienotiba) - TB: For the Fatherland and Freedon (1991-1997 > TB/LNNK) - TB/LNNK: For Fatherland and Freedom (1997-2011 > NA) - TP: People's Party (1998-2011) - TPA: Political Union of Economists - TSP: National Harmony Party (1994-2010 > Saskana) - VL!: All For Latvia! (2006-2011 > NA) - ZRP: Zatlers' Reform Party (2011-2012 > RP)

Current parties and alliances: AP!: Development/For! (alliance of KP!, LA and Izaugsme) - AS: United List (alliance of LZP, LRA and LP) - Izaugsme: Growth (AP! member) - JV: New Unity (Vienotiba-led alliance) - Konservatīvie (K): The Conservatives - KDS: Christian Democratic Union - KP!: Movement For! (AP! member) - LA: For Latvia's Development (AP! member) - LP: Liepaja Party (AS member, formerly ZZS member) - LPV: Latvia First - LRA: Latvian Association of Regions (AS member) - LSDSP: Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party (ZZS member) - LuV: For Latvia and Ventspils (ZZS member) - LZP: Latvian Green Party (AS member, formerly ZZS member) - LZS: Latvian Farmers' Union (ZZS member) - NA: National Alliance - PCL: For a Humane Latvia - Progresīvie (PRO): The Progressives - Stabilitātei! (S!): For Stability! - Saskana: Harmony - Vienotiba (V): Unity (JV member) - ZZS: Green and Farmers' Union (alliance of LZP, LSDSP and LuV)

Heads of State

Chairman of the Supreme Council
Anatolijs Gorbunovs    4 May 1990 -  7 Jul 1993  n/p, LC (*)

Presidents of the Republic
Guntis Ulmanis         7 Jul 1993 -  8 Jul 1999  LZS
Vaira Vike-Freiberga   8 Jul 1999 -  8 Jul 2007  n/p
Valdis Zatlers         8 Jul 2007 -  8 Jul 2011  n/p
Andris Berzins         8 Jul 2011 -  8 Jul 2015  ZZS, n/p
Raimonds Vejonis       8 Jul 2015 -  8 Jul 2019  LZP/ZZS
Egils Levits           8 Jul 2019 -  8 Jul 2023  n/p 
Edgars Rinkēvics       8 Jul 2023 -              n/p

(*) Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 6 Oct 1988 to 4 May 1990. Ruler of an independent state since 6 Sep 1991 (declaration of 21 Aug 1991 recognized by USSR). Styled chairman of the Supreme Council to 15 Sep 1992 and then simply syled head of State.

Prime Ministers

Ivars Godmanis            7 May 1990 -  3 Aug 1993  LTF      
Valdis Birkavs            3 Aug 1993 - 15 Sep 1994  LC        
Maris Gailis             15 Sep 1994 - 21 Dec 1995  LC        
Andris Skele             21 Dec 1995 -  7 Aug 1997  n/p  
Guntars Krasts            7 Aug 1997 - 26 Nov 1998  TB/LNNK  
Vilis Kristopans         26 Nov 1998 - 16 Jul 1999  LC
Andris Skele             16 Jul 1999 -  5 May 2000  TP
Andris Berzins            5 May 2000 -  7 Nov 2002  LC
Einars Repse              7 Nov 2002 -  9 Mar 2004  JL 
Indulis Emsis             9 Mar 2004 -  2 Dec 2004  LZP/ZZS
Aigars Kalvitis           2 Dec 2004 - 20 Dec 2007  TP
Ivars Godmanis           20 Dec 2007 - 12 Mar 2009  LPP/LC
Valdis Dombrovskis       12 Mar 2009 - 22 Jan 2014  JL, Vienotiba
Laimdota Straujuma       22 Jan 2014 - 11 Feb 2016  Vienotiba
Maris Kucinskis          11 Feb 2016 - 23 Jan 2019  LP/ZZS 
Arturs Krisjānis Karins  23 Jan 2019 - 15 Sep 2023  Vienotiba
Evika Silina             15 Sep 2023 -              Vienotiba

Speakers of the Saeima

Anatolijs Gorbunovs      1993-1995         LC
Ilga Kreituse            1995-1996         DPS
Alfrēds Cepanis          1996-1998         DPS
Jānis Straume            1998-2002         TB/LNNK
Ingrīda Ūdre             2002-2006         ZZS
Indulis Emsis            2006-2007         LZP/ZZS
Gundars Daudze           2007-2010         ZZS
Solvita Aboltina         2010-2014         JL, Vienotiba
Ināra Mūrniece           2014-2022         NA
Edvards Smiltēns         2022-             n/p

Deputy Prime Ministers

Ilmārs Bisers            1990-1991 (†2011) LTF
Arnis Kalnins            1990-1991         n/p
Maris Gailis             1993-1994         LC 
Ojars Kehris             1993-1994         LC 
Egils Levits             1993-1994         LC 
Valdis Birkavs           1994-1995         LC
Andris Piebalgs          1994-1995         LC
Jānis Vaivads            1994-1995         LC
Andris Berzins           1994-1995         LC
Andris Gutmanis          1994-1995         LC
Ziedonis Cevers          1995-1996         DPS 
Maris Gailis             1995-1996         LC 
Andrejs Krastins         1995-1997 (†2008) LNNK
Māris Grīnblats          1995-1997 (†2021) TB
Alberts Kauls            1995-1996 (†2008) LVP
Anatolijs Gorbunovs      1996-1999         LC
Roberts Dilba            1996-1997         LVP
Juris Kaksitis           1997-1998         DPS
Guntars Krasts           1998-1999         TB/LNNK  
Ainārs Slesers           2002-2004         LPP
Artis Pabriks            2010-2011         SCP
Arvils Aseradens         2016-2019         Vienotiba
Artis Pabriks            2019-2022         KP!/AP!
Jānis Bordans            2019-2022         JKP, K

Ministers of Foreign Affairs

Jānis Jurkans            1990-1992         LTF
Georgs Andrejevs         1992-1994 (†2022) LC
Valdis Birkavs           1994-1999         LC
Indulis Berzins          1999-2002         LC
Sandra Kalniete          2002-2004         n/p
Rihards Piks             2004              TP
Helena Demakova          2004              TP (acting) 
Artis Pabriks            2004-2007         TP
Helena Demakova          2007              TP (acting) 
Maris Riekstins          2007-2010         n/p, TP
Aivis Ronis              2010              n/p
Girts Valdis Kristovskis 2010-2011         PS
Edgars Rinkēvics         2011-2023         n/p, RP, Vienotiba
Arturs Krisjānis Karins  2023-2024         Vienotiba 
Baiba Braze              2024-             n/p

Ministers of Defence

Tālavs Jundzis           1991-1993         LTF
Valdis Pavlovskis        1993-1994         LC
Jānis Arveds Trapāns     1994-1995         n/p
Maris Gailis             1995              LC (acting)
Andrejs Krastins         1995-1997 (†2008) LNNK
Dzintars Rasnacs         1997              TB (acting)
Talavs Jundzis           1997-1998         KDS
Guntars Krasts           1998              TB/LNNK (acting)
Girts Valdis Kristovskis 1998-2004         TB/LNNK
Atis Slakteris           2004              TP
Einars Repse             2004-2005         JL 
Solvita Aboltina         2005-2006         JL (acting) 
Arturs Krisjānis Karins  2006              JL (acting) 
Linda Murniece           2006              JL
Atis Slakteris           2006-2007         TP 
Vinets Veldre            2007-2009         n/p
Imants Viesturs Liegis   2009-2010         PS
Artis Pabriks            2010-2014         SCP, Vienotiba
Raimonds Vejonis         2014-2015         LZP/ZZS
Raimonds Bergmanis       2015-2019         LZP/ZZS
Artis Pabriks            2019-2022         KP!/AP!
Ināra Mūrniece           2022-2023         NA
Andris Sprūds            2023-             PRO

Ministers of the Interior

Aloizs Vaznis            1990-1991 (†2020) n/p
Ziedonis Cevers          1991-1993         n/p
Girts Valdis Kristovskis 1993-1994         LC  
Maris Gailis             1994              LC (acting) 
Jānis Ādamsons           1994-1995         LC            
Dainis Turlais           1995-1997         DPS
Juris Kaksitis           1997              DPS (acting)
Ziedonis Cevers          1997-1998         DPS
Talavs Jundzis           1998              KDS (acting)
Andrejs Krastins         1998      (†2008) TB/LNNK, LNRP
Roberts Jurdzs           1998-1999 (†2002) TB/LNNK
Mareks Seglins           1999-2002         TP
Girts Valdis Kristovskis 2002              TB/LNNK (acting)
Maris Gulbis             2002-2004         JL
Eriks Jekabsons          2004-2005         LPP
Aigars Kalvitis          2005              TP (acting)
Dzintars Jaundzeikars    2005-2006 (†2022) LPP
Ivars Godmanis           2006-2007         LPP/LC	
Mareks Seglins           2007-2009         TP
Linda Murniece           2009-2011         JL
Aigars Stokenbergs       2011              TP (acting) 
Rihards Kozlovskis       2011-2019         ZRP, RP, Vienotiba
Sandis Girgens           2019-2021         KPV LV, PCL
Marija Golubeva          2021-2022         KP!/AP!
Artis Pabriks            2022              KP!/AP! (acting)
Kristaps Eklons          2022              n/p
Maris Kucinskis          2022-2023         LP/AS
Rihards Kozlovskis       2023-             Vienotiba

Ministers of Economy

Economy
Jānis Āboltins           1990-1991 (†2006) n/p

Economy Reform
Arnis Kalnins            1991-1993         n/p
Aivars Kreituss          1993              n/p
Maris Gailis             1993-1994         LC  

Economy
Ojārs Kehris             1993-1994         LC 
Jānis Zvanitajs          1994-1995         TPA
Guntars Krasts           1995-1997         TB
Atis Sausnitis           1997-1998         DPS
Guntars Krasts           1998              TB/LNNK (acting)
Anatolijs Gorbunovs      1998              LC (acting)
Laimonis Strujevics      1998              LZS
Ainārs Slesers           1998-1999         JP
Vilis Kristopans         1999              LC (acting)
Ingrīda Ūdre             1999              JP
Vladimirs Makarovs       1999-2000         TB/LNNK
Andris Skele             2000              TP (acting)
Aigars Kalvitis          2000-2002         TP
Juris Lujāns             2002-2004         LPP
Ivars Gaters             2004              JL (acting)
Juris Lujans             2004              LPP
Arturs Krisjānis Karins  2004-2006         JL 
Aigars Stokenbergs       2006              TP
Jurijs Strods            2006-2007         TB/LNNK
Aigars Kalvitis          2007              TP (interim)
Gaidis Bērzins           2007              TB/LNNK (interim)
Kaspars Gerhards         2007-2009         n/p, TB/LNNK
Artis Kampars            2009-2011         JL, Vienotiba
Daniels Pavluts          2011-2014         n/p, RP
Vjaceslavs Dombrovskis   2014              RP
Dana Reizniece-Ozola     2014-2016         LuV/ZZS
Arvils Aseradens         2016-2019         Vienotiba
Ralfs Nemiro             2019-2020         KPV LV
Sandis Girgens           2020              KPV LV (acting)
Jānis Vitenbergs         2020-2021         KPV LV, PCL
Kaspars Gerhards         2021              TB/LNNK (acting)
Jānis Vitenbergs         2021-2022         NA
Kaspars Gerhards         2022              TB/LNNK (acting)
Ilze Indriksone          2022-2023         NA
Viktors Valainis         2023-             LZS/ZZS

Ministers of Finance

Elmars Silins            1990-1993         n/p
Uldis Osis               1993-1994         LC
Andris Piebalgs          1994-1995         LC
Indra Omula Sāmīte       1995              LC
Aivars Kreituss          1995-1996         DPS
Andris Skele             1996-1997         n/p (acting)
Vasilijs Melniks         1997              DPS
Andris Skele             1997              n/p (acting)
Roberts Zīle             1997-1998         TB, TB/LNNK
Ivars Godmanis           1998-1999         LC
Edmunds Krastins         1999-2000         LC
Gundars Bērzins          2000-2002 (†2023) TP
Valdis Dombrovskis       2002-2004         JL
Oskars Spurdzins         2004-2007         TP
Atis Slakteris           2007-2009         TP
Einars Repse             2009-2010         JL
Andris Vilks             2010-2014         PS, Vienotiba
Jānis Reirs              2014-2016         Vienotiba
Dana Reizniece-Ozola     2016-2019         LuV/ZZS
Jānis Reirs              2019-2022         Vienotiba
Arvils Aseradens         2022-             Vienotiba

Chairmen of TSP, Saskana

Jānis Jurkāns            1994-2005
Jānis Urbanovics         2005-2013
Nils Usakovs             2013-2019     
Jānis Urbanovics         2019-

Saskana (full named "Social Democratic Party Harmony, SDPS) was founded on 10 Feb 2010 as the merger of three pro-Russian-speaking and left-oriented parties: National Harmony Party (TSP), New Centre (JC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Chairmen of KPV LV, PCL

Artuss Kaimins           2016-2020
Atis Zakatistovs         2020
Rolands Millers          2020-2021
Ieva Krapāne             2021 
Māris Mozvillo           2021-

KPV LV was founded on 3 May 2016. The party was renamed PCL on 12 Dec 2020.

Chairmen of JKP, K

Jānis Bordāns            2014-2022
Gatis Eglītis            2022-

JKP was founded on 17 May 2014. The party was renamed The Conservatives (Konservatīvie, K) on 26 Feb 2022.

Chairmen of KP!

Daniels Pavluts          2017-2022
Laima Geikina +
Vladislava Marāne +
Inese Voika              2022-

KP! was founded on 26 Aug 2017. The party formed with For Latvia's Development (LA) and Izaugsme the AP! coalition on 20 Apr 2018.

Chairmen of NA

Gaidis Berzins +
Raivis Dzintars          2011-2017
Raivis Dzintars          2017-

NA was founded on 23 Jul 2011 as the merger of TB/LNKK and VL!. Since 2010 the NA existed as an electoral coalition.

Chairmen of LZP

Andrejs Svilans            ? -2011
Edgars Tavars            2011-

LZP was founded on 13 Jan 1990. The party was member of the ZZS coalition from 2002 to 2022.

Chairmen of LZS

Aivars Berkis            1991-1994 (+2020)
        ?                1994-2000
Augusts Brigmanis        2000-2019
Armands Krauze           2019-2023
Viktors Valainis         2023-

LZS was originally founded 1917. Banned in 1934, it was re-established on 5 Jul 1990. The party is a member of the ZZS coalition since 25 Jul 2002.

Leaders of ZZS

Armands Krauze           2019-

The ZZS alliance was established on 25 Jul 2002 by four parties: LZP, LZS, LuV and LP. In 2022 LZP and LuV left ZZS and LSDSP joined it.

Chairmen of Vienotiba

Solvita Aboltina         2011-2016
Andris Piebalgs          2016-2017
Arvils Aseradens         2017-

Unity (Vienotiba, V) was founded as a single party on 6 Aug 2011 from the merger of JL, PS and SCP. Since 23 Apr 2018 it leads the coalition Jauna Vienotiba (JV, New Unity).

Chairmen of S!

Aleksejs Roslikovs       2021-

Stabilitātei! (S!) was founded on 26 Feb 2021.

Chairmen of LPV

Ainārs Slesers           2021-

LPV was founded on 14 Aug 2021.

Chairmen of PRO

Māris Graudins           2017-2018
Roberts Putnis           2018-2019
Antonina Nenaseva + 
Edmunds Cepurītis        2019-2021
Antonina Nenaseva + 
Atis Svinka              2021-2023
Justīne Pantelējeva +
Andris Suvajevs          2023-

Progresīvie (PRO) was founded on 25 Feb 2017.

Chairmen of LSDSP

Valdis Steins            1989-1990
Uldis Bērzins            1980-1993 (+2021)
Egils Baldzēns           1993-1994
Jānis Dinevics           1994-1995
Arnis Mugureviss         1995—1997
Jānis Ādamsons           1997-1999
Juris Bojārs             1999-2002
Dainis İvāns             2002
Juris Bojārs             2005-2006
Jānis Dinevics           2006-2011
Aivars Timofejevs        2011—2015
Jānis Dinevics           2015-

LSDSP was first founded on 17 June 1918 and reestablished on 2 Dec 1989. In 2022 joined the ZZS alliance.

Chairmen of ZRP, RP (2011-2015)

Valdis Zatlers           2011-2013
Edmunds Demiters         2013-2014
Vjaceslavs Dombrovskis   2014-2015

ZRP was founded by former President Valdis Zatlers on 23 Jul 2011. The party shortened its name to RP in Apr 2012 and was disbanded on 4 Mar 2015.

Chairmen of JL (2002-2011)

Einars Repse             2002-2007
Arturs Krisjānis Karins  2007-2008
Solvita Aboltina         2008-2011

JL was founded on 2 Feb 2002. The party ceased to exist on 6 Aug 2011 upon merger with SCP and PS to form Vienotiba.

Chairmen of TP (1998-2011)

Andris Skele             1998 2002        
Atis Slakteris           2002-2006         
Aigars Kalvitis          2006-2008
Mareks Seglins           2008-2009
Andris Skele             2009-2011

TP was founded on 2 May 1998 by splinters of LNNK, LC and KDS. The party was disbanded on 9 Jul 2011.

Chairmen of TB, LNNK, TB/LNNK (1988-2011)

Chairmen of LNNK
Eduards Berklavs         1988-1993 (†2004) 
Andrejs Krastins         1993-1994         
Aristids Lambergs        1994-1995         
Anna Seile               1995-1996        
Andrejs Krastins         1996-1997         

Chairman of TB
Māris Grīnblats          1991-1997 (†2021)        

Chairmen of TB/LNNK
Māris Grīnblats          1997-2002 (†2021)        
Jānis Straume            2002-2006  
Roberts Zīle             2006-2011

TB/LNNK was founded on 21 Jun 1997 as the merger of the TB (f. 1991) and the LNNK (f. 10 Jul 1988). The LNNK, firstly called Latvian National Independence Movement, decided to change its name to Latvian National Conservative Party on 18 Jun 1994. TB/LNNK joined VL! in 2010 to form the electoral alliance National Alliance (NA). On 23 Jul 2011 the NA became a single party.

Chairmen of VL! (2006-2011)

Raivis Dzintars          2006-2007
Imants_Parādnieks        2007-2008
Raivis Dzintars + 
Imants_Parādnieks        2008-2011

VL! was founded on 14 Jan 2006. VL! joined to TB/LNNK in 2010 to form the electoral alliance National Alliance (NA). On 23 Jul 2011 the NA became a single party.

Chairmen of LC, LPP/LC (1993-2011)

Chairmen of LC
Valdis Birkavs           1993-1997         
Andrejs Pantelejevs      1997-2000         
Andris Berzins           2000-2003        
Jānis Naglis             2003-2004         
Ivars Godmanis           2004-2007 
Ainārs Slesers +                   (co-chairman)
Ivars Godmanis           2007-2009 (co-chairman)
Ainars Slesers           2009-2011

LC was founded as a party on 25 Sep 1993. On 25 Aug 2007 it merged with A. Slesers' LPP, forming the LPP/LC. The pary was disbanded on 1 Dec 2011.

Chairmen of DPS, LDP (1995-2004)

Ziedonis Cevers          1995-1998         
Andris Ameriks           1998-2004

DPS was born on 29 Apr 1995 from the merger of the "Saimnieks" ("Master") Party (SP) and the Democratic Centrist Party (DCP). In 1999 the DPS changed its name to LDP. The party disbanded itself on 8 May 2004.

Chairman of JP (1998-2002)

Raimonds Pauls           1998-2002

JP was founded on 14 Mar 1998. The party suffered a process of desintegration from 2000 to 2002, as their members joined LPP, TP and LSDSP.

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