Latvia unveils first ever female Prime Minister

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

Straujuma holds a doctorate in economics (photo delfi.lv)

Latvia has nominated its first ever female Prime Minister. 

Latvian President Andris Berzins invited agriculture minister Laimdota Straujuma to form the next government. (view pics here)

Straujuma was put forward as Unity's candidate for the prime minister during the political parties board meeting on Sunday evening. During the same meeting, Straujuma became a member of the Unity political party.

Following the announcement, Straujuma said the unstable political situation after the president rejected all PM candidates nominated by Unity, had led to her choosing the post. 

Unity's leader Solvita Aboltina said previously that Straujuma, who holds a doctorate in economics, was the most experienced government sector representative in the current government. Aboltina praised Straujuma's efforts to bring balance to the agriculture sector.

Former Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis stepped down last November after taking political responsibility for the collapse of the Maxima supermarket roof that killed 54 people.