The current President of Latvia biography, photos

The Current President of Latvia Raimonds Vejonis (born 15 June 1966) in his post from July 2015. He is a member of the Green party, a member of the Union of greens and farmers. Previously held various Ministerial posts, was a member of the Latvian Saeima.

A Few words about the institution of the presidency of Latvia

It takes its origin from the twenties of the last century, when in November 1922, the first Seimas (Parliament) was elected with an overwhelming majority, votes “for” the first President of Latvia Janis Cakste. All subsequent heads of state were elected by the Parliament, in addition to the authoritarian leader of K. Ulmanis, the Prime Minister, who in the mid-thirties was also appointed himself President. What people also known as the presidents of Latvia? The list specifying period of tenure is given below:

• I. Cakste (14.11.1922 – 14.03.1927).
• G. Zemgals (8.04.1927 – 9.04.1930).
• A. kvesis-he (9.04.1930 – 11.04.1936).
• K. Ulmanis (11.04.1936 – 21.08.1940).
• G. Ulmanis (7.08.1993 – 17.06.1999).
• V. Vike-Freiberga (17.06.1999 – 7.08.2007).
• V. Zatlers (8.06.2007 – 7.08.2011).
• A. Berzins (8.08.2011-7.08.2015).
• R. Vejonis (8.08.2015 – present).

Origin and childhood

The birthplace of the current President of Latvia? Biography R. Vejonis began in the Pskov region, where his pregnant Russian by nationality mother came to visit father, a Latvian, while he served in the Soviet Army.

As evidenced by the President himself, his mother just miscalculated the timing, when he went to the father, so the birth of a baby for parents a pleasant surprise.
He grew up in the countryside in Latvia, and attended school in the small town of Madona. Already in childhood Raimonds became interested in environmental protection after his grandfather went blind because of the impact of chemical pesticides (means of weed control used on the farm where he worked).

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Education and early career

The Current President of Latvia graduated from the biological faculty of the Latvian University in 1989 and received a master's degree in 1995. After studying it for about a year worked as a biology teacher in Madona. In 1989, unexpectedly was appointed to a newly created authority, the Committee of environment of Madona to the position of Deputy chief. To Raimonds initially had to organize the work of the Committee, selection and repair the premises, even act as designer of the interiors.

Soon he became a Deputy of the district city Council, where he worked from 1990 to 1993. From 1996 to 2002 he was Director of the Riga regional environmental Board, during this period he was also a member of the Board of Directors of the port of Skulte and served as a state representative in the management company for the collection and waste management "Getlini EKO". Since 1990, it is the Green party.

A Decade on one Ministerial post

The Future President of Latvia Vejonis became Minister of environment and regional development, 7 November 2002. In 2003, when the Ministry was divided into two separate departments with allocation of the Ministry of regional development, he remained the Minister of environment and outlasted in this post several governments until 2011, when the two departments were again United in one. Then again he is heading the Ministry.
For almost a decade, a Minister Vejonis was not seen in any corruption scandal.

Member of Parliament

Vejonis has lost his job October 25, 2011, when after the parliamentary elections a new government was formed, in which members of his Union “green” and peasants were not included. He continued his political career as a member of Parliament. As the MP promoted the law on the prohibition to sell energy drinks to youth under 18. Thus R. Vejonis did not differ by commitment to the discipline called for only 70% of the meetings of the Sejm of the 11th convocation.

Minister of defence

In 2014 he became Minister of defense after having a coalition government Laimdota Straujuma. He was an active supporter of the placement of NATO bases on the territory of Latvia, lobbied for the placement of American troops in the country. It was opposed even in principle possible new big war, because, in his opinion, in Latvia it will not be able to survive.

Vejonis did not allow himself a sharp anti-Russian attacks, though, and gained fame thanks to his promise to shoot all the ‘little green men" if they go into the territory of Latvia. So in his country he has the reputation of a patriot.

President of Latvia

He was elected President of Latvia on 3 June 2015. Elections were held for a long time, for 9 hours. Initially of 100 MPs for his candidacy voted only 35 deputies, but the fifth vote, the number had increased to 55 representatives of different parties. In his inaugural speech Vejonis has promised to ensure national security in light of events in Ukraine, at the same time protecting the environment. Looks like the current President of Latvia? The photo below is made after his election to this post.It is Known that for a long time the Latvian authorities have attracted foreign investors in residential property. Thus anyone who bought a house or apartment with a value above a certain threshold were issued permits, with which they could travel throughout the European Union. Over the past decade, this proposal of the Latvian authorities have used many wealthy Russians.

Several years ago, the threshold value of the estate for obtaining a residence permit was significantly increased, thus the authorities are trying to restrict immigration to the country by the Russians. A well-developed real estate community and associated with the maintenance of the property business are protesting against this policy. However, the President Vejonis in favour of maintaining a high threshold, considering it a measure to the country's security.

It is Obvious that he, as President, is in his place. An experienced politician with many years of experience in government, he avoids scandals and is able to find agreement. An important advantage is its commitment to family values and the lack of desire for personal enrichment. With his wife Iveta, a teacher by profession, he is married for 29 years. They have two sons. While the couple Vejonis lives in a modest apartment. All the years of our governmental and parliamentary activities, he lived on one salary.