Search

The Online Encyclopedia and Dictionary

 
     
 

Encyclopedia

Dictionary

Quotes

 

Prime Minister of Latvia

The Prime Minister of Latvia is the most powerful member of the Latvian government, and presides over the Latvian cabinet. The Prime Minister is nominated by the President of Latvia, but must be able to obtain the support of a majority of parliament.

The tables below display all Latvian Prime Ministers for both the first period when Latvia was independent (1918 - 1940) and since the country regained its independence (1990-now). From 1990 to 6 July 1993, the office was known as Chairman of the Council of Ministers, but is generally considered to have been the same role.

List of Prime Ministers (1918-1940)

Name Took Office Left Office Party
1 Kārlis Ulmanis, 1st time 18 November 1918 19 June 1921 Latvian Farmer's Union
2 Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics, 1st time 19 June 1921 26 January 1923 Latvian Farmer's Union
3 Jānis Pauļuks 27 January 1923 27 June 1923 Latvian Farmer's Union
Zigfrīds Anna Meierovics, 2nd time 27 June 1923 26 January 1924 Latvian Farmer's Union
4 Voldemārs Zamuels 27 January 1924 16 December 1924 Democratic Center Party
5 Hugo Celmiņš, 1st time 16 December 1924 25 December 1925 Latvian Farmer's Union
Kārlis Ulmanis, 2nd time 25 December 1925 4 May 1926 Latvian Farmer's Union
6 Artūrs Alberings 4 May 1926 17 December 1926 Latvian Farmer's Union
7 Marģers Skujenieks, 1st time 17 December 1926 21 January 1928 Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party
8 Pēteris Juraševskis 21 January 1928 1 December 1928 Democratic Center Party
Hugo Celmiņš, 2nd time 1 December 1928 24 March 1931 Latvian Farmer's Union
Marģers Skujenieks, 2nd time 24 March 1931 23 March 1933 Latvian Social Democratic Labour Party
9 Ādolfs Bļodnieks 23 March 1933 17 March 1934 New Farmer's party (Jaunsaimnieku Partija)
Kārlis Ulmanis, 3rd time 17 March 1934 22 June 1940 Latvian Farmer's Union (until 15 May 1934)
none (after 15 May 1934)

Notes:

  1. During 1918-1920 Independence War, Latvia was contested by two other governments: the government of Soviet Latvia, lead by Pēteris Stučka and the government of Andrievs Niedra, backed by Baltic Germans. Some sources may list Stučka and Niedra as prime ministers for periods when their governments controlled most of Latvia.
  2. On 15 May 1934, prime minister Ulmanis dissolved the parliament and banned all political parties (including his own Farmer's Union), becoming a dictator.

List of Prime Ministers (1990-now)

Name Took Office Left Office Party
1 Ivars Godmanis 7 May 1990 3 August 1993 Latvian People's Front
2 Valdis Birkavs 3 August 1993 19 September 1994 Latvian Way
3 Māris Gailis 19 September 1994 21 December 1995 Latvian Way
4 Andris Šķēle , 1st time 21 December 1995 7 August 1997 (None)
5 Guntars Krasts 7 August 1997 26 November 1998 Fatherland and Freedom / National Independence
6 Vilis Krištopāns 26 November 1998 16 July 1999 Latvian Way
Andris Šķēle , 2nd time 16 July 1999 5 May 2000 People's Party
7 Andris Bērziņš 5 May 2000 7 November 2002 Latvian Way
8 Einārs Repše 7 November 2002 9 March 2004 New Era Party
9 Indulis Emsis 9 March 2004 2 December 2004 Green Party
10 Aigars Kalvītis 2 December 2004 (present) People's Party

See also: Lists of office-holders

Last updated: 09-12-2005 02:39:13