Anatolijs Gorbunovs
Encyclopedia
Anatolijs Gorbunovs also formerly known as Anatoly Valeryanovich Gorbunov (b. February 10, 1942 in Pilda parish
, Ludza municipality
, Latvia
) is a Latvian politician who served as the parliamentary speaker
during the last years of Soviet regime in Latvia
and during the first years after the country regained its independence. In the latter capacity he was effectively the acting head of state
before the election of the Fifth Saeima
in 1993.
From 1974 to 1988, he held various positions in the Communist Party
of the Latvian SSR, with his highest position being the secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Latvian SSR. Unlike most Communist Party members in Latvia, Gorbunovs supported the Latvian independence movement. From 1988 to 1990 he was Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (head of state
). From 1989 to 1995, he was speaker of the Latvian parliament (first, of the Supreme Soviet
of Latvian SSR
, then Supreme Soviet of Republic of Latvia
, then, of the Saeima
, the parliament of the newly independent Latvia). During this period, Latvian independence was restored in 1991. As speaker of the parliament, Gorbunovs was acting president of the republic per the 1992 Constitution until 1993, when Guntis Ulmanis
was elected president.
Gorbunovs joined the Latvian Way
party in 1993 and remained Speaker of the Saeima
until 1995 and a member of parliament until 2002. Between 1995 and 2002, he served as Minister of Regional Development, Minister of Transportation and Deputy Prime Minister.
In 1995 Gorbunovs was awarded with the Order of the Three Stars
.
Pilda parish
- Towns, villages and settlements of Pilda parish :*...
, Ludza municipality
Ludza municipality
Ludza municipality is a municipality in Latgale, Latvia. The municipality was formed in 2009 by merging Briģi parish, Cirma parish, Isnauda parish, Istra parish, Nirza parish, Ņukši parish, Pilda parish, Pureņi parish, Rundēni parish and Ludza town the administrative centre being Ludza.The...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
) is a Latvian politician who served as the parliamentary speaker
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
during the last years of Soviet regime in Latvia
Latvian SSR
The Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Latvian SSR for short, was one of the republics that made up the Soviet Union. Established on 21 July 1940 as a puppet state during World War II in the territory of the previously independent Republic of Latvia after it had been occupied by...
and during the first years after the country regained its independence. In the latter capacity he was effectively the acting head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
before the election of the Fifth Saeima
Saeima
Saeima is the parliament of the Republic of Latvia. It is a unicameral parliament consisting of 100 members who are elected by proportional representation, with seats allocated to political parties which gain at least 5% of the popular vote. Elections are scheduled to be held once every four years,...
in 1993.
From 1974 to 1988, he held various positions in the Communist Party
Communist party
A political party described as a Communist party includes those that advocate the application of the social principles of communism through a communist form of government...
of the Latvian SSR, with his highest position being the secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Latvian SSR. Unlike most Communist Party members in Latvia, Gorbunovs supported the Latvian independence movement. From 1988 to 1990 he was Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic (head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
). From 1989 to 1995, he was speaker of the Latvian parliament (first, of the Supreme Soviet
Supreme Soviet
The Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union was the Supreme Soviet in the Soviet Union and the only one with the power to pass constitutional amendments...
of Latvian SSR
Latvian SSR
The Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic , also known as the Latvian SSR for short, was one of the republics that made up the Soviet Union. Established on 21 July 1940 as a puppet state during World War II in the territory of the previously independent Republic of Latvia after it had been occupied by...
, then Supreme Soviet of Republic of Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, then, of the Saeima
Saeima
Saeima is the parliament of the Republic of Latvia. It is a unicameral parliament consisting of 100 members who are elected by proportional representation, with seats allocated to political parties which gain at least 5% of the popular vote. Elections are scheduled to be held once every four years,...
, the parliament of the newly independent Latvia). During this period, Latvian independence was restored in 1991. As speaker of the parliament, Gorbunovs was acting president of the republic per the 1992 Constitution until 1993, when Guntis Ulmanis
Guntis Ulmanis
Guntis Ulmanis is a Latvian politician and was the fifth President of Latvia from 1993 to 1999.-Early life:Guntis Ulmanis was born in Riga on September 13, 1939. His grandfather was the brother of then-President and Prime Minister Kārlis Ulmanis. In 1941 Guntis Ulmanis and his family were exiled...
was elected president.
Gorbunovs joined the Latvian Way
Latvian Way
Latvian Way was a centre-right liberal party in Latvia. It merged with Latvia's First Party to form the Latvia's First Party/Latvian Way in 2007.It described itself as "a liberal party defending people's freedom to shape their own lives"...
party in 1993 and remained Speaker of the Saeima
Speaker of the Saeima
The Speaker of the Saeima is the speaker of the Parliament of Latvia, the Saeima. In the case when President of Latvia is not in the country or unable to perform their duties, the Speaker acts interim President....
until 1995 and a member of parliament until 2002. Between 1995 and 2002, he served as Minister of Regional Development, Minister of Transportation and Deputy Prime Minister.
In 1995 Gorbunovs was awarded with the Order of the Three Stars
Order of the Three Stars
Order of the Three Stars is order awarded for merits in service for Latvia. It was established in 1924 in remembrance of founding of Latvia. Its motto is "Per aspera ad astra"...
.