Aivars Lembergs
Encyclopedia
Aivars Lembergs is a Latvia
n politician
and businessman, who has been the mayor
of Ventspils
since 1988. Since 2008 he has faced a long-running investigation for bribery
, money laundering
and abuse of office; he vehemently denies all wrongdoing.
Lembergs was born in Jēkabpils
, Latvia, to Jewish-Latvian parents. He studied economics
in Latvian State University (now known as the University of Latvia
), graduating in 1977. He then worked in various positions in the Communist party of Latvia
, becoming mayor of Ventspils in 1988. He stayed in this position after Latvia became independent and has been re-elected five times. Lembergs was the leader of the local political party, Latvijai un Ventspilij ("For Latvia and Ventspils") which he founded in 1994. Latvijai un Ventspilij has completely dominated the city politics since it was founded. Before the 2006 parliamentary election, Lembergs' party Latvijai and Ventspilij entered into an alliance with the Union of Greens and Farmers
and the Union of Greens and Farmers named Lembergs as its candidate for the Prime Minister of Latvia. He remains its leading figure and chief financial supporter. He is one of the three "oligarchs" against which Zatlers' Reform Party
has pledged to act if it achieves office.
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and businessman, who has been the mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Ventspils
Ventspils
Ventspils is a city in northwestern Latvia in the Courland historical region of Latvia, the sixth largest city in the country. As of 2006, Ventspils had a population of 43,806. Ventspils is situated on the Venta River and the Baltic Sea, and has an ice-free port...
since 1988. Since 2008 he has faced a long-running investigation for bribery
Bribery
Bribery, a form of corruption, is an act implying money or gift giving that alters the behavior of the recipient. Bribery constitutes a crime and is defined by Black's Law Dictionary as the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or...
, money laundering
Money laundering
Money laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
and abuse of office; he vehemently denies all wrongdoing.
Lembergs was born in Jēkabpils
Jekabpils
Jēkabpils is a city in Selonia, Latvia roughly halfway between Riga and Daugavpils. The Daugava River runs through the town, and the ancient valley, branches, and islands of the river are considered picturesque...
, Latvia, to Jewish-Latvian parents. He studied economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
in Latvian State University (now known as the University of Latvia
University of Latvia
University of Latvia is a university located in Riga, Latvia. Being established in 1919, University of Latvia is the biggest university in the Baltic states.-History:...
), graduating in 1977. He then worked in various positions in the Communist party of Latvia
Communist Party of Latvia
Communist Party of Latvia was a political party in Latvia.- Latvian Social-Democracy prior to 1919 :The party was founded at a congress in June 1904. Initially the party was known as the Latvian Social Democratic Workers' Party . During its second party congress in 1905 it adopted the programme of...
, becoming mayor of Ventspils in 1988. He stayed in this position after Latvia became independent and has been re-elected five times. Lembergs was the leader of the local political party, Latvijai un Ventspilij ("For Latvia and Ventspils") which he founded in 1994. Latvijai un Ventspilij has completely dominated the city politics since it was founded. Before the 2006 parliamentary election, Lembergs' party Latvijai and Ventspilij entered into an alliance with the Union of Greens and Farmers
Union of Greens and Farmers
Union of Greens and Farmers is a green/agrarian and conservative political alliance in Latvia. It consists of two political parties: Latvian Farmers' Union and the Green Party of Latvia . It is the third-largest party in the Saeima....
and the Union of Greens and Farmers named Lembergs as its candidate for the Prime Minister of Latvia. He remains its leading figure and chief financial supporter. He is one of the three "oligarchs" against which Zatlers' Reform Party
Zatlers' Reform Party
The Zatlers' Reform Party is a centre-right political party in Latvia founded by the former President Valdis Zatlers on 23 July 2011. It has 22 seats in the Saeima, making it the second-largest party in the legislature....
has pledged to act if it achieves office.