Egils Levits

Egils Levits, born on June thirtieth, nineteen fifty-five, is a distinguished Latvian politician, lawyer, political scientist, and jurist. He served as the tenth president of Latvia from two thousand nineteen to two thousand twenty-three, marking a significant period in the nation's history. Prior to his presidency, Levits was a member of the European Court of Justice from two thousand four until two thousand nineteen, showcasing his extensive legal expertise on an international level.

During the late Soviet era, Levits was an active member of the Popular Front of Latvia, playing a crucial role in the declaration of restored Latvian independence in nineteen ninety. His political career includes serving as vice-prime minister and minister for justice from nineteen ninety-three to nineteen ninety-four, and later as ambassador to Hungary, Austria, and Switzerland from nineteen ninety-four to nineteen ninety-five. He was appointed as a judge of the European Court of Human Rights, a position he held until two thousand four.

In two thousand fifteen, Levits finished second in the indirect election for the presidency of Latvia, narrowly losing to Raimonds Vējonis. Although he ran as an Independent, he was the candidate of the National Alliance. His legal career continued to flourish, as he was reappointed a judge of the European Court of Justice in two thousand eighteen, having first taken on the role in two thousand four.

Levits is a family man, married with two children: a son named Linards and a daughter named Indra. In two thousand nineteen, he published a book of memoirs, offering insights into his life and career. In early May two thousand twenty-three, he announced that he would not seek reelection, and on May thirty-first, Edgars Rinkēvičs was elected as his successor.