Sandra Kalniete
Latvia- Early Life and Family Background
- Education and Early Career
- Political Activism
- Diplomatic Career
- Foreign Minister and Cabinet Minister
- Founding Civil Union Party
- Recent Years
Early Life and Family Background
Born on December 22, 1952, to exiled parents in the remote Siberian settlement of Togur, USSR, Sandra Kalniete's family history is marked by political upheaval and persecution. Her mother, Ligita, was deported to Siberia with her family in 1941. Her father, Aivars, was exiled in 1949. In 1957, the family returned to Latvia.
Education and Early Career
Kalniete attended several Riga schools, graduating from the 39th Secondary School in 1971. She then studied History and Theory of Art at the Latvian Academy of Arts and worked as a seamstress from 1981 to 1982. In 1983, she was appointed secretary-referent in the Artists' Union of the Latvian SSR, later becoming its Executive Secretary.
Political Activism
Kalniete's political journey began in 1988 when she joined the Latvian National Front (LNF) and was elected its Vice-Chair. After Latvia declared independence in 1990, she served as Head of the Protocol Service in the Latvian Foreign Ministry.
Diplomatic Career
Kalniete's diplomatic career spanned several decades. She was Deputy Foreign Minister in the Godmanis government and then First Secretary at the Latvian Embassy in the United Kingdom. From 1993 to 1995, she served as Latvia's Ambassador to the United Nations and UNESCO in Geneva. She later became Ambassador to France from 1997 to 2002.
Foreign Minister and Cabinet Minister
In 2002, Kalniete was appointed Foreign Minister in the Repse government. In 2004, she was Latvia's interim European Commissioner. In 2006, she was elected to the Saeima from the New Era party.
Founding Civil Union Party
In 2008, Kalniete left New Era and founded the Civic Union party, becoming its chairperson. In 2009, she was elected to the European Parliament, where she joined the European People's Party.
Recent Years
In 2011, Civic Union merged with New Era and Society for Other Politics to form the Unity party. Kalniete served as its chairperson from 2011 to 2012. In 2015, she was detained by Russian authorities for her alleged involvement in anti-Russian activities and declared persona non grata.
