Egils Levits facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Egils Levits
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Levits in 2019
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| 10th President of Latvia | |
| In office 8 July 2019 – 8 July 2023 |
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| Prime Minister | Krišjānis Kariņš |
| Preceded by | Raimonds Vējonis |
| Succeeded by | Edgars Rinkēvičs |
| Judge of the European Court of Justice | |
| In office 11 May 2004 – 17 June 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Fidelma Macken |
| Succeeded by | Niilo Jääskinen |
| Vice-Prime Minister of Latvia | |
| In office 3 August 1993 – 19 September 1994 |
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| President | Guntis Ulmanis |
| Prime Minister | Valdis Birkavs |
| Minister of Justice of Latvia | |
| In office 3 August 1993 – 19 September 1994 |
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| President | Guntis Ulmanis |
| Prime Minister | Valdis Birkavs |
| Preceded by | Viktors Skudra |
| Succeeded by | Romāns Apsītis |
| Member of Parliament | |
| In office 7 July 1993 – 5 October 1994 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 June 1955 Riga, Latvia |
| Political party | Latvian Way (1993–1994) |
| Spouse |
Andra Levite
(m. 1991) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents | Ingeborga Levita Jonass Levits |
| Residence | Riga Castle |
| Alma mater | University of Hamburg |
| Occupation |
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| Signature |  |
Egils Levits (born on June 30, 1955) is a well-known Latvian politician and lawyer. He served as the tenth President of Latvia from 2019 to 2023. Before becoming president, he was a judge at the European Court of Justice for many years.
During the time when Latvia was part of the Soviet Union, Egils Levits was involved in movements that helped Latvia regain its independence. He played a part in the declaration of Latvia's independence in 1990. He also served as a minister and ambassador for Latvia.
In 2015, he ran for president but came in second place. Later, in 2019, he was elected president by Latvia's parliament. He is married and has two children. In 2023, he decided not to run for president again, and Edgars Rinkēvičs was elected as the new president.
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Early Life and Family Background
Egils Levits was born in Riga, the capital city of Latvia. His father, Jonass Levits, was an engineer, and his mother, Ingeborga Levita, was a poet.
In 1972, his family had to leave the Soviet Union because of their activities that went against the Soviet government. They moved to West Germany and lived there until 1990, when Latvia became an independent country again.
Egils Levits has shared that even though his family has different backgrounds, he feels most connected to being Latvian. He encourages all citizens of Latvia to feel proud of their Latvian identity.
Egils Levits' Political Journey
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Egils Levits has been active in Latvian politics since the late 1980s. He joined the Popular Front of Latvia, a large movement that helped Latvia become independent. He also became a member of the Latvian Citizens' Congress.
In 1993, he was elected as a member of the Saeima, which is Latvia's parliament. He has also worked as an ambassador for Latvia in countries like Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary.
He helped write the important introduction, called the preamble, to the Constitution of Latvia. This part of the constitution explains the main values and goals of the country. In 2018, he was named the "European Person of the Year in Latvia."
Running for President
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Egils Levits was suggested as a presidential candidate in 2011 and 2015. In 2015, he came in second place in the election.
In 2019, the main political parties in Latvia decided to support him for president. On May 29, 2019, Latvia's parliament officially elected him as the new president.
His Time as President
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Egils Levits officially became president on July 8, 2019, in the Saeima. In his first speech, he talked about how a country can always improve. After the ceremony, he visited important national monuments.
He made his first trip as president to Tallinn, Estonia, where he met with the Estonian president and prime minister. In 2021, he visited Sweden to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations between Latvia and Sweden.
In May 2023, President Levits announced that he would not seek another term as president. On May 31, Edgars Rinkēvičs was elected to take his place.
His Career as a Judge
In 1995, Egils Levits became Latvia's representative at the European Court of Human Rights. This court helps protect human rights across Europe.
Since 2004, he has also been Latvia's representative at the European Court of Justice. This court makes sure that European Union laws are applied correctly in all member countries.
His Views and Beliefs
Egils Levits generally holds traditional views on political matters in Latvia. He believes that Latvia has one of the strongest economies in Europe.
He has supported efforts to reduce the use of the Russian language in Latvia in certain areas. He also believes that people who are not citizens of Latvia, even if they were born there, should pass a Latvian language test to become citizens.
Egils Levits is not a member of any political party. He prefers to remain independent in his political work.
Personal Life
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Egils Levits is married to Andra Levite, who is a gynecologist. They have two children, a son named Linards and a daughter named Indra.
In 2019, he published his first book, titled Valstsgriba. Idejas un domas Latvijai 1985–2018. This book shares his articles, interviews, and personal thoughts from his time as a judge. Besides his native Latvian language, he also speaks German, English, French, and Russian.
Awards and Honours
From Latvia
Latvia: Grand Master and Commander Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of the Three Stars (2019)
Latvia: Grand Master and Grand Cross of the Order of Viesturs (2019)- Latvia: Grand Master of the Cross of Recognition (2019)
From Other Countries
Estonia: Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana (2023)
Ukraine: Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st class (2021)
Luxembourg: Grand Cross of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau (2023)
Portugal: Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry (2023)
Poland: Knight of the Order of the White Eagle (2023)
See also
In Spanish: Egils Levits para niños
