Alberts Kviesis Third President of the Republic of Latvia Date of Birth: 22.12.1881 Country: Latvia

Biography of Albert Kviesis

Albert Kviesis was a Latvian politician and the third President of the Republic of Latvia. He was born in 1881 in Ergli. Kviesis received his primary education at home, but from 1894 to 1902, he attended the Jelgava Gymnasium. From 1902 to 1907, he studied at the University of Tartu. During his studies, he joined the student organization Lettonia. After completing his education, Kviesis worked as a lawyer. In 1936, he served as the director of the Sloka Cellulose Factory and received a presidential pension of 1200 lats per month.

On June 14, 1941, Albert Kviesis hid from the Chekists in a forest ranger's lodge, thus avoiding deportation. During the German occupation, Kviesis returned to his legal practice. In 1942, he began working in the occupied General Directorate of Justice, which he later headed in 1943. On August 9, 1944, Alberts Kviesis planned to sail to Germany, but he died from a heart attack right on board the German steamer "Monte Rosa" in the mouth of the Daugava River. He was buried at the Forest Cemetery.

Kviesis was a member of the People's Council and later worked as a judge, a member of the Saeima (parliament), and the Minister of Interior. Albert Kviesis first ran for the presidency in 1927 but was unsuccessful. On April 9, 1930, he was elected as the President. During his inauguration, Kviesis solemnly promised: "I swear that all my activities will be dedicated to the welfare of the Latvian people. I will do everything in my power to promote the well-being of the Latvian state and its population. I will respect the sacred constitution of Latvia and its laws. I will be just towards everyone and fulfill my duties in good conscience."

During his presidency, Albert Kviesis did not present any legislative proposals to the Saeima, nor did he send any back for reconsideration, and he never called for any extraordinary Cabinet meetings. On May 15, 1934, Kviesis did not oppose the dissolution of the Saeima and the suspension of the constitution.