Indulis Emsis
Encyclopedia
Indulis Emsis is a Latvia
n biologist
and politician. He was Prime Minister of Latvia
for ten months in 2004, the first Green politician to lead a country in the history of the world. He was Speaker of the Saeima
, the Latvian parliament from 2006 to 2007. Emsis' political views are described as rather conservative, unusual for members of green parties around the world.
with a degree in biology
in 1975. In 1986, he received PhD, also in biology. Until 1990, he worked as a research scientist in environmental science
. From 1976 to 1987 Emsis worked as a research associate at the scientific production association "Silava", and head of its labor protection laboratory between 1987 and 1989. Emsis also worked as deputy chairman of the Soviet Latvia's State Nature
Protection Committee.
(LZP) and served as Minister for the environment in the 1990s, working especially for a clean Baltic Sea
. He is currently one of the three chairpersons of the Latvian Green Party
, which forms a part of Union of Greens and Farmers
.
Emsis was included on the Green ticket for the 5th Saeima elections in 1993. Emsis was appointed special assignments minister of natural protection in
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development in the government of Valdis Birkavs
in 1993. Emsis also held the office in the government of Maris Gailis
in 1994.
Emsis was elected to the 6th Saeima from the ticket of LNNK/LZP in 1995. As a
member of the 6th Saeima, Emsis was elected to the parliament's Economic Policy
Committee. Emsis was appointed special assignments minister of environment in
the ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development when Andris Skele
's government was approved in 1995. Emsis again assumed the post when Skele returned with a new government in 1997, and also held it in the government of Guntars Krasts
.
In 1996, Emsis was awarded the Three Star Order (3rd category). In 1998, Emsis was appointed head of a task force to prepare a development
program for Latvia's small ports, and chairman of committee for assessment of
conformity of beaches and yacht ports.
In 1998, Emsis joined the parliamentary group of the Labor Party, Union of
Christian Democrats and LZP. He was included on the three parties' joint ticket
for the 7th Saeima elections.
In 1998, Emsis assumed the post of Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans
' non-staff
advisor on environmental protection issues.
In 2000, LZP congress nominated Emsis as the party's candidate for Riga
mayor
ahead of municipal elections. Emsis was elected to the Riga City Council form
LZP ticket in March 2001, he worked as deputy chairman of the city council's
City Development Committee.
In October 2002, Emsis was included on the ZZS ticket for the 8th Saeima
elections. Emsis was elected to Saeima, and was appointed deputy chairman of the ZZS parliamentary group. Emsis was elected head of the Economic, Agricultural,
Environmental and Regional Policy Committee, he also worked on the Public
Expenditure and Audit Committee.
leader Einars Repse's government, President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga
assigned Emsis to form a new government; Saeima voted Emsis' government in office in March 2004.
On 9 March 2004, he became the prime minister of Latvia, leading a centre-right minority government
consisting of The Greens and Rustics union, Latvia's First Party and Latvian People's Party. For most of time, the government was also supported by the leftist National Harmony Party
.
Emsis was the first member of a Green Party to become Prime Minister of a country. On 28 October 2004, the government fell as the Saeima
voted 39–53 against the government's budget proposal for the year 2005. He left office on 2 December 2004, when parliament confirmed Aigars Kalvītis
of the People's Party as Prime Minister.
of the New Era Party
by 74 votes to 22. Retired on 21 September 2007, after starting criminal proceedings against him.
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...
n biologist
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
and politician. He was Prime Minister of Latvia
Prime Minister of Latvia
The Prime Minister of Latvia is the most powerful member of the Government of the Republic of Latvia, and presides over the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers...
for ten months in 2004, the first Green politician to lead a country in the history of the world. He was 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....
, the Latvian parliament from 2006 to 2007. Emsis' political views are described as rather conservative, unusual for members of green parties around the world.
Early life
Emsis graduated from Riga First Secondary School in 1970, and graduated from the University of LatviaUniversity of Latvia
University of Latvia is a university located in Riga, Latvia. Being established in 1919, University of Latvia is the biggest university in the Baltic states.-History:...
with a degree in biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
in 1975. In 1986, he received PhD, also in biology. Until 1990, he worked as a research scientist in environmental science
Environmental science
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical and biological sciences, to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems...
. From 1976 to 1987 Emsis worked as a research associate at the scientific production association "Silava", and head of its labor protection laboratory between 1987 and 1989. Emsis also worked as deputy chairman of the Soviet Latvia's State Nature
Protection Committee.
Start of political career
In 1990, he became one of founders of Latvian Green PartyLatvian Green Party
The Latvian Green Party is a green political party in Latvia. It was founded January 13, 1990.-Chairpersons:Three co-chairpersons share the leadership position at any one time...
(LZP) and served as Minister for the environment in the 1990s, working especially for a clean Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
. He is currently one of the three chairpersons of the Latvian Green Party
Latvian Green Party
The Latvian Green Party is a green political party in Latvia. It was founded January 13, 1990.-Chairpersons:Three co-chairpersons share the leadership position at any one time...
, which forms a part of Union of Greens and Farmers
Union of Greens and Farmers
Union of Greens and Farmers is a green/agrarian and conservative political alliance in Latvia. It consists of two political parties: Latvian Farmers' Union and the Green Party of Latvia . It is the third-largest party in the Saeima....
.
Emsis was included on the Green ticket for the 5th Saeima elections in 1993. Emsis was appointed special assignments minister of natural protection in
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development in the government of Valdis Birkavs
Valdis Birkavs
Valdis Birkavs is a Latvian politician. He was born in Riga. He was first elected to the Latvian parliament in 1990 and helped to found the Latvian Way party. After Latvian Way won the 1993 parliamentary elections, Birkavs became the prime minister, leading a coalition government of Latvian Way...
in 1993. Emsis also held the office in the government of Maris Gailis
Maris Gailis
Māris Gailis is a Latvian political figure. He served as Prime Minister of Latvia between September 15, 1994 and December 21, 1995.-References:...
in 1994.
Emsis was elected to the 6th Saeima from the ticket of LNNK/LZP in 1995. As a
member of the 6th Saeima, Emsis was elected to the parliament's Economic Policy
Committee. Emsis was appointed special assignments minister of environment in
the ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development when Andris Skele
Andris Škele
Andris Šķēle is a Latvian politician and Business oligarch. He has served two terms as Prime Minister of Latvia from 21 December 1995 to 7 August 1997, and from 16 July 1999 to 5 May 2000....
's government was approved in 1995. Emsis again assumed the post when Skele returned with a new government in 1997, and also held it in the government of Guntars Krasts
Guntars Krasts
Guntars Krasts is a Latvian politician, former Prime Minister, and former Member of the European Parliament for the single Latvia constituency. Born in Riga, he was the Minister of Economy of Latvia from December 1995 to August 1997, Prime Minister of Latvia from August 1997 to November 1998, and...
.
In 1996, Emsis was awarded the Three Star Order (3rd category). In 1998, Emsis was appointed head of a task force to prepare a development
program for Latvia's small ports, and chairman of committee for assessment of
conformity of beaches and yacht ports.
In 1998, Emsis joined the parliamentary group of the Labor Party, Union of
Christian Democrats and LZP. He was included on the three parties' joint ticket
for the 7th Saeima elections.
In 1998, Emsis assumed the post of Prime Minister Vilis Kristopans
Vilis Krištopans
Vilis Krištopans is a Latvian politician. He served as Prime Minister of Latvia from November 26, 1998 to July 15, 1999.As a prime minister he was a member of the Latvian Way political party...
' non-staff
advisor on environmental protection issues.
In 2000, LZP congress nominated Emsis as the party's candidate for Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
mayor
ahead of municipal elections. Emsis was elected to the Riga City Council form
LZP ticket in March 2001, he worked as deputy chairman of the city council's
City Development Committee.
In October 2002, Emsis was included on the ZZS ticket for the 8th Saeima
elections. Emsis was elected to Saeima, and was appointed deputy chairman of the ZZS parliamentary group. Emsis was elected head of the Economic, Agricultural,
Environmental and Regional Policy Committee, he also worked on the Public
Expenditure and Audit Committee.
As prime minister
After the resignation of New Era PartyNew Era Party
The New Era Party , abbreviated to JL, was a centre-right political party in Latvia. Founded in 2002, the party merged with Civic Union and Society for Other Politics to form Unity in 2011....
leader Einars Repse's government, President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga
Vaira Vike-Freiberga
Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga was the sixth President of Latvia, the first female President of Latvia and the first female leader in eastern Europe. She was elected President of Latvia in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.Dr...
assigned Emsis to form a new government; Saeima voted Emsis' government in office in March 2004.
On 9 March 2004, he became the prime minister of Latvia, leading a centre-right minority government
Minority government
A minority government or a minority cabinet is a cabinet of a parliamentary system formed when a political party or coalition of parties does not have a majority of overall seats in the parliament but is sworn into government to break a Hung Parliament election result. It is also known as a...
consisting of The Greens and Rustics union, Latvia's First Party and Latvian People's Party. For most of time, the government was also supported by the leftist National Harmony Party
National Harmony Party
The National Harmony Party was a political party in Latvia.The party identified itself as a social-democratic party. It supported further liberalisation of the citizenship law by granting citizenship to each non-citizen who had lived in Latvia for at least 10 years...
.
Emsis was the first member of a Green Party to become Prime Minister of a country. On 28 October 2004, the government fell as 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,...
voted 39–53 against the government's budget proposal for the year 2005. He left office on 2 December 2004, when parliament confirmed Aigars Kalvītis
Aigars Kalvitis
Aigars Kalvītis is a Latvian politician, former Prime Minister of Latvia and current Chairman of the Board of Latvijas Balzams....
of the People's Party as Prime Minister.
Speaker of Saeima
Emsis returned to the Saeima in December 2004. In October 2006, Emsis was elected to the 9th Saeima from the ticket of the Union of Greens and Farmers. On 7 November 2006, he was elected Speaker of Saeima, defeating Sandra KalnieteSandra Kalniete
Sandra Kalniete is a Latvian politician, author, diplomat and independence movement leader. She served as Foreign Minister of Latvia 2002–2004 and as European Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development and Fisheries in 2004...
of the New Era Party
New Era Party
The New Era Party , abbreviated to JL, was a centre-right political party in Latvia. Founded in 2002, the party merged with Civic Union and Society for Other Politics to form Unity in 2011....
by 74 votes to 22. Retired on 21 September 2007, after starting criminal proceedings against him.