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Laimdota StraujumaLatvian statesman and political figure
Date of Birth: 24.02.1951
Country:  Latvia |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Academic Pursuits:
- Career in Public Service
- Government Official in Agriculture and Regional Development:
- Prime Ministership
- Re-election and Resignation:
- Subsequent Political Career
- Personal Life
- Awards and Honors
- Latvian Ministry of Agriculture Medal of Dedication:
Early Life and Education
Hometown and Family:Laimdota Straujuma was born on February 24, 1951, to schoolteachers Viktor Lustics and Stanislava (née Stabrovska) in Latvia.
Academic Pursuits:
She completed high school at Tilzass Secondary School in 1968. From 1968 to 1973, she pursued a degree in Mathematics at the University of Latvia's Faculty of Physics and Mathematics. In 1987, she obtained a postgraduate degree in Agricultural Economics from the Institute of Economics at the Latvian Academy of Sciences. She later earned a doctoral degree in 1992 with a dissertation on "Assessment of Resource Utilization in Latvian Enterprises."
Career in Public Service
Agricultural Consultant and Administrator:Straujuma held various positions in the agricultural sector. From 1993 to 1997, she served as Deputy Director of the Latvian Agricultural Consulting and Educational Support Center. She became its Director from 1997 to 1998.
Government Official in Agriculture and Regional Development:
In November 1999, she was appointed Deputy State Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture of Latvia, later becoming State Secretary from October 2000 to December 2006. She subsequently held the position of State Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture of Latvia from January 2007 to December 2010. From January 2010 to October 2011, she served as Deputy State Secretary in the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.
Prime Ministership
Appointment and Confirmation:On October 25, 2011, Straujuma was appointed Minister of Agriculture in Valdis Dombrovskis' government. On January 6, 2014, Latvian President Andris Berzinsh nominated her as Prime Minister and tasked her with forming a new government. The Saeima, Latvia's parliament, confirmed her government on January 22, 2014.
Re-election and Resignation:
Following the 2014 parliamentary elections, President Berzinsh again proposed Straujuma to lead the government. Her nomination was approved by the Saeima on November 5, 2014. However, her government faced criticism over a 2016 budget that proposed significant salary increases for government officials. In the wake of this controversy, Straujuma announced her intention to resign on December 7, 2015. Her resignation, along with her government, was accepted on the same day, continuing to act until a new government was formed.
Subsequent Political Career
Saeima Member:After her tenure as Prime Minister, Straujuma was elected to the Saeima on February 18, 2016, as a member of the Unity party. She became a member of the Unity parliamentary group and chaired the Saeima's Sustainable Development Committee while also serving on the Budget and Finance Committee. She also joined the parliamentary friendship group with the Irish parliament.
Personal Life
Straujuma is fluent in Latvian, Russian, and English. She has two sons and several grandchildren.
Awards and Honors
British Institute of Agriculture Honorary Member:Elected Honorary Member of the British Institute of Agriculture in 1997.
Latvian Ministry of Agriculture Medal of Dedication:
Awarded in 2006.Cross of Recognition, 2nd Class:
Conferred in 2008.
