Andris Bērziņš (Latvian President)
Encyclopedia
Andris Bērziņš is a Latvia
n businessman and politician. He is the President
of Latvia, having won the presidential election
held on 2 June 2011.
From 1993 to 2004, Bērziņš was the President of Unibanka
.
, Latvian SSR
, Soviet Union
. In 1958 he completed studies at a Nītaure primary school, and attended the 1st middle school of Sigulda
from 1958 to 1962. He then began studying at the Riga Polytechnical Institute, which he graduated in 1971, and became a radio engineer at the "Elektrons" factory. He worked his way up to director and in 1988 was appointed deputy minister of municipal services of the Latvian SSR
. He also studied at the Economic Faculty of the Latvian State University, which he graduated in 1988.
In 1989 Bērziņš was elected to the Valmiera district Council (Soviet) of People's Deputies and was appointed chairman of the district's executive commission. In 1990 he was elected to the Supreme Council
of the Latvian SSR
, representing Valmiera
. He joined the Latvian Popular Front faction in the Supreme Council
. On 4 May 1990 he voted in favor of the declaration that restored the independence of the Republic of Latvia.
After the completion of his term as deputy in 1993, Bērziņš became chairman of the Privatization Fund of the Bank of Latvia
. He also became president of Latvijas Unibanka (a joint-stock company; 1993–2004). Bērziņš became a successful businessman and his estate exceeded 1 000 000 lats (by the mid 2000s). He also owned 30 various land properties. Bērziņš worked as an advisor to the president of SEB
and was a board member of several joint-stock companies, including Valmiera stikla šķiedra (Valmiera fiberglass) and Lode
.
party list. From 2006 to 2010 he served as the president of the Latvian Chamber of Industry and Commerce and was also Latvenergo
's board chairman (until 2009).
In 2010 Andris Bērziņš was elected deputy of the Saeima
as a member of the Union of Greens and Farmers
.
deputies.
In the first round of the election
(2 June 2011), Bērziņš received 50 votes for and 48 against, while Valdis Zatlers
got 43 for and 55 against (99 lawmakers cast votes, but one was invalid), meaning no one was elected. In the second round, held later on the same day, Bērziņš received 53 votes, winning the election. Andris Bērziņš took office as President of Latvia on 8 July 2011.
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 businessman and politician. He is the President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of Latvia, having won the presidential election
Latvian presidential election, 2011
Indirect presidential elections were held in Latvia on 2 June 2011. Incumbent president Valdis Zatlers was standing again, as well as Andris Bērziņš , a former head of SEB Unibanka ; Bērziņš was nominated by five Saeima members of the Union of Greens...
held on 2 June 2011.
From 1993 to 2004, Bērziņš was the President of Unibanka
SEB Unibanka
SEB banka , owned by SEB, is one of the largest banks in Latvia. The bank was established after regaining independence from USSR by consolidating earlier financial structures, such as Bank of Agricultural Industry. Nowadays its main rivals in the Latvian banking market are Hansabanka and Parex bank....
.
Early career
Andris Bērziņš was born 10 December 1944 in NītaureNītaure
Nītaure is a village in Amata municipality, Latvia. Nītaure had 450 residents as of 2006....
, Latvian SSR
Latvian SSR
The Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Latvian SSR for short, was one of the republics that made up the Soviet Union. Established on 21 July 1940 as a puppet state during World War II in the territory of the previously independent Republic of Latvia after it had been occupied by...
, Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. In 1958 he completed studies at a Nītaure primary school, and attended the 1st middle school of Sigulda
Sigulda
Other twinnings: Keila, Estonia chiatura Georgia-References:* , , , , , and -External links:*...
from 1958 to 1962. He then began studying at the Riga Polytechnical Institute, which he graduated in 1971, and became a radio engineer at the "Elektrons" factory. He worked his way up to director and in 1988 was appointed deputy minister of municipal services of the Latvian SSR
Latvian SSR
The Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Latvian SSR for short, was one of the republics that made up the Soviet Union. Established on 21 July 1940 as a puppet state during World War II in the territory of the previously independent Republic of Latvia after it had been occupied by...
. He also studied at the Economic Faculty of the Latvian State University, which he graduated in 1988.
In 1989 Bērziņš was elected to the Valmiera district Council (Soviet) of People's Deputies and was appointed chairman of the district's executive commission. In 1990 he was elected to the Supreme Council
Supreme Council
Supreme Council may refer to:In culture:* Supreme Council of Antiquities, part of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture* Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes, an umbrella organisation in Greece established in 1997In Freemasonry:...
of the Latvian SSR
Latvian SSR
The Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Latvian SSR for short, was one of the republics that made up the Soviet Union. Established on 21 July 1940 as a puppet state during World War II in the territory of the previously independent Republic of Latvia after it had been occupied by...
, representing Valmiera
Valmiera
Valmiera is the largest city of the historical Vidzeme region, Latvia, with a total area of 18.1 km². It is the center of the Valmiera District. As of 2002, Valmiera had a population of 27,323, and in 2008 – 27,569....
. He joined the Latvian Popular Front faction in the Supreme Council
Supreme Council
Supreme Council may refer to:In culture:* Supreme Council of Antiquities, part of the Egyptian Ministry of Culture* Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes, an umbrella organisation in Greece established in 1997In Freemasonry:...
. On 4 May 1990 he voted in favor of the declaration that restored the independence of the Republic of Latvia.
After the completion of his term as deputy in 1993, Bērziņš became chairman of the Privatization Fund of the Bank of Latvia
Bank of Latvia
The Bank of Latvia is the central bank of Latvia. It is one of the key public institutions and carries out economic functions as prescribed by law. The principal objective of the Bank of Latvia is to regulate currency in circulation by implementing monetary policy to maintain price stability in...
. He also became president of Latvijas Unibanka (a joint-stock company; 1993–2004). Bērziņš became a successful businessman and his estate exceeded 1 000 000 lats (by the mid 2000s). He also owned 30 various land properties. Bērziņš worked as an advisor to the president of SEB
Seb
Seb is a diminutive of the given name Sebastian. "Seb" may also refer to:*A god in Egyptian mythology also known as Geb*Sebastian 'Seb' Coe , British athlete and politician*Seb Fontaine, DJ with English dance/electronica outfit Reflekt...
and was a board member of several joint-stock companies, including Valmiera stikla šķiedra (Valmiera fiberglass) and Lode
Lode
In geology, a lode is a deposit of metalliferous ore that fills or is embedded in a fissure in a rock formation or a vein of ore that is deposited or embedded between layers of rock....
.
Political career
Andris Bērziņš returned to politics in 2005, when he unsuccessfully ran for the office of Mayor of Riga as the leader of the Union of Greens and FarmersUnion 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....
party list. From 2006 to 2010 he served as the president of the Latvian Chamber of Industry and Commerce and was also Latvenergo
Latvenergo
Latvenergo is a state-owned energy company in Latvia. The company generates about 70% of the country's electricity.Latvenergo has three hydroelectric power plants, Pļaviņu HES, Rīgas HES and Ķeguma HES-2, with a total installed capacity of 1,463 MWe, two combined heat power plants with electricity...
's board chairman (until 2009).
In 2010 Andris Bērziņš was elected deputy of the Saeima
Saeima
Saeima is the parliament of the Republic of Latvia. It is a unicameral parliament consisting of 100 members who are elected by proportional representation, with seats allocated to political parties which gain at least 5% of the popular vote. Elections are scheduled to be held once every four years,...
as a member of 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....
.
2011 presidential election
On 23 May 2011 Andris Bērzinš was nominated as a presidential candidate by five Union of Greens and FarmersUnion 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....
deputies.
In the first round of the election
Latvian presidential election, 2011
Indirect presidential elections were held in Latvia on 2 June 2011. Incumbent president Valdis Zatlers was standing again, as well as Andris Bērziņš , a former head of SEB Unibanka ; Bērziņš was nominated by five Saeima members of the Union of Greens...
(2 June 2011), Bērziņš received 50 votes for and 48 against, while Valdis Zatlers
Valdis Zatlers
Valdis Zatlers is a Latvian politician and former physician who served as the seventh president of Latvia from 2007 to 2011. He won the Latvian presidential election of 31 May 2007...
got 43 for and 55 against (99 lawmakers cast votes, but one was invalid), meaning no one was elected. In the second round, held later on the same day, Bērziņš received 53 votes, winning the election. Andris Bērziņš took office as President of Latvia on 8 July 2011.
Honours and awards
- Order of the Three StarsOrder of the Three StarsOrder of the Three Stars is order awarded for merits in service for Latvia. It was established in 1924 in remembrance of founding of Latvia. Its motto is "Per aspera ad astra"...
Class I with chain (2011) - Order of ViestursOrder of ViestursThe Order of Viesturs is a Latvian state order founded in 1938, which fell into abeyance during the years of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic, but was reestablished in 2004 in the Republic of Latvia...
Class I (2011) - The Cross of RecognitionCross of RecognitionThe Cross of Recognition is a state decoration of Latvia, founded in 1938, but tracing its historical origins to 1710. It is awarded to Latvians and foreigners for meritorious services in the development of the military, ensuring national security and public order, defending the national borders,...
Class I (2011) - Commander of Order of the Three StarsOrder of the Three StarsOrder of the Three Stars is order awarded for merits in service for Latvia. It was established in 1924 in remembrance of founding of Latvia. Its motto is "Per aspera ad astra"...
(2000) - Commemorative pin for participants in the 1991 barricades (1996)