Egils Levits facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Egils Levits
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Levits in 2019
|
|
| 10th President of Latvia | |
| In office 8 July 2019 – 8 July 2023 |
|
| 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 |
|
| Preceded by | Fidelma Macken |
| Succeeded by | Niilo Jääskinen |
| Vice-Prime Minister of Latvia | |
| In office 3 August 1993 – 19 September 1994 |
|
| President | Guntis Ulmanis |
| Prime Minister | Valdis Birkavs |
| Minister of Justice of Latvia | |
| In office 3 August 1993 – 19 September 1994 |
|
| 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 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 June 1955 Riga, Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic |
| 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 |
|
| Signature |  |
Egils Levits (born 30 June 1955) is a 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 from 2004 to 2019.
During the late Soviet era, he was part of the Popular Front of Latvia. He helped write the declaration that restored Latvia's independence in 1990. He also served as Vice-Prime Minister and Minister for Justice of Latvia from 1993 to 1994. He was an ambassador to Hungary, Austria, and Switzerland. Later, he became a judge at the European Court of Human Rights until 2004. In 2015, he ran for president of Latvia and came in second. He is married and has two children. In 2023, he decided not to run for president again. Edgars Rinkēvičs was elected as his successor.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Egils Levits was born in Riga, Latvia. His father, Jonass Levits, was an engineer of Latvian Jewish heritage. His mother, Ingeborga Levita, was a Latvian-Baltic German poet. In 1972, his family had to leave the Soviet Union because they were speaking out against the government. They moved to West Germany, where his mother's relatives lived. They stayed there until Latvia became independent again in 1990.
Levits has said that even though he has Jewish and German family roots, he feels most strongly connected to being Latvian. He has encouraged other Latvian citizens from different backgrounds to feel the same way.
Political Journey
.jpg)
Levits became involved in Latvian politics in the late 1980s. He joined the Popular Front of Latvia, a movement that worked for Latvia's independence. He also became a member of the Citizens' Congress of the Republic of Latvia. In 1993, he was elected as a member of the Saeima, which is Latvia's parliament.
He has served as Latvia's ambassador to Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary. He also helped write the important introduction to the Constitution of Latvia, which is the main law of the country. In 2018, he was named the "European Person of the Year in Latvia."
Running for President
.jpg)
Levits was suggested as a candidate for president in 2011 and 2015. In 2015, he came in second place to Raimonds Vējonis. In 2019, the political parties forming the government decided to support him for president. Latvia's parliament elected him on 29 May 2019.
His Time as President
.jpg)
.jpg)
Levits officially became president on 8 July 2019. In his first speech, he said that no country is perfect because there is always room to improve. After the ceremony, he visited important national monuments. He also received the keys to Riga Castle, the official residence of the president. Soon after, he made his first trip abroad to Tallinn, Estonia.
In August 2021, Levits visited Sweden to celebrate 100 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In September 2021, there was a misunderstanding about a phone call he made regarding a judge position. Levits said it was just a misunderstanding.
In March 2023, a survey showed that 27% of Latvian citizens viewed his work positively. On 10 May 2023, he announced that he would not seek another term as president.
Judicial Career
In 1995, Levits was chosen to represent Latvia at the European Court of Human Rights. Since 2004, he has been Latvia's representative at the European Court of Justice. These courts are important for making sure laws are followed fairly across Europe.
His Views
Levits generally holds traditional views on political matters in Latvia. As a European judge, he has shared his thoughts on current events in Latvia. For example, he stated that accepting refugees and certain international agreements do not go against Latvia's main laws. He believes Latvia has one of the strongest economies in Europe.
Levits has also supported efforts to reduce the use of the Russian language in Latvia. This includes rules that private universities should teach in official European Union languages. He also believes that people who are not citizens of Latvia must pass a Latvian language test to become citizens. Levits is not a member of any political party and prefers to remain independent.
Personal Life
.jpg)
Egils Levits is married to Andra Levite, who is a doctor specializing in women's health. They have a son named Linards and a daughter named Indra. In 2019, Levits published his first book, Valstsgriba. Idejas un domas Latvijai 1985–2018 (Country's Will: Ideas and thoughts for Latvia 1985–2018). The book includes his articles and interviews, along with his personal thoughts 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 (8 July 2019)
Latvia: Grand Master and Grand Cross of the Order of Viesturs (8 July 2019)- Latvia: Grand Master of the Cross of Recognition (8 July 2019)
From Other Countries
Estonia: Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana (19 April 2023)
Ukraine: Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, 1st class (23 August 2021)
Luxembourg: Grand Cross of the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau (13 March 2023)
Portugal: Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry (12 April 2023)
Poland: Knight of the Order of the White Eagle (26 January 2023)
See also
In Spanish: Egils Levits para niños
