PROFILE: Latvias first ever female Prime Minister

  • 2014-01-06
  • From wire reports, RIGA

Latvia has officially unveiled its first ever female Prime Minister, Laimdota Straujuma

Latvian President Andris Berzins invited the agriculture minister to form the next government after talks with political parties on Jan. 6.

Here's everything you need to know about Latvia's new Prime Minister.

Straujuma was born Feb. 24, 1951. She is a graduate of the University of Latvia's Physic and Mathematics School, in 1992 she earned a doctor's degree in economy.After graduation, Straujuma worked at the Latvian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Economics, "Latvijas datu centrs" (Latvian Data Center), and as the head of "Latvijas Lauksaimniecibas konsultaciju un izglitibas atbalsta centrs" (Latvian Agriculture Consulting and Education Support Center).In 1999, she was appointed deputy state secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture. She later served as the Agriculture Ministry's State Secretary from 2000-2006.Straujuma worked as state secretary at the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Government Affairs from 2007-2010, and as the ministry's deputy state secretary in 2011.On October 25, 2011, Saeima confirmed Dombrovskis' government, where Straujuma held the office of the agriculture minister. Straujuma was nominated  agriculture minister by Unity, although she was not a member of any political party.Nominated as Latvia's first ever female Prime Minister in 2014. Outgoing Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis praises Straujuma's public administration experience.