 |
Raimonds VejonisLatvian politician, President of Latvia since 2015.
Date of Birth: 15.06.1966
Country:  Latvia |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Raimonds Vējoniswas born on June 15, 1966, in the village of Nikonovka (now Palkinskaya Volost, Pskov Oblast), Russia, to a family of Latvian and Russian lineage. In 1989, he graduated in Biology from the University of Latvia in Riga.
Political and Military Career
Vējonis began his political career in the city of Madona, serving as a member of the city council. He held several ministerial positions, including Minister of Environment and Regional Development. In January 2014, he was appointed Minister of Defense of Latvia. He was an elected member of the 9th and 10th Saeima (Parliament) of Latvia.
Presidency
On June 3, 2015, Vējonis was elected President of the Republic of Latvia by a parliamentary vote. After four unsuccessful rounds, he secured 55 votes out of 99.
Awards and Recognition
Vējonis has been awarded the Order of the Three Stars, the highest state decoration of the Republic of Latvia.
Personal Life
Vējonis is married and has two children. He has been a member of the Latvian Green Party since 1990. He is a native speaker of Latvian and Russian, and is proficient in English. His mother is Russian and his father is Latvian. Vējonis identifies as a pagan in terms of religious beliefs.
