Valdis Zatlers facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valdis Zatlers
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Zatlers in 2011
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| 7th President of Latvia | |
| In office 8 July 2007 – 8 July 2011 |
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| Prime Minister | Aigars Kalvītis Ivars Godmanis Valdis Dombrovskis |
| Preceded by | Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga |
| Succeeded by | Andris Bērziņš |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 22 March 1955 Riga, Latvian Soviet Socialist Republic |
| Political party | Independent (Before 2011) Reform Party (2011–2015) |
| Spouse | Lilita Zatlere |
| Children | Gustavs Felicita Kārlis |
| Alma mater | Riga Stradiņš University |
| Signature |  |
Valdis Zatlers, born on March 22, 1955, is a Latvian politician and a former doctor. He served as the seventh President of Latvia from 2007 to 2011. He won the presidential election on May 31, 2007, and became president on July 8, 2007. He left office on July 7, 2011, after not being re-elected for a second term.
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Valdis Zatlers' Medical Career
Valdis Zatlers is a type of doctor called an orthopedic surgeon. These doctors specialize in treating bones, joints, and muscles. He finished his medical studies at the Institute of Medicine in Riga in 1979. After graduating, he worked at Riga Hospital No. 2. By 1985, he became the head of its unit that treats injuries.
In 1986, he was sent to Ukraine to help as a medical officer. This was part of the cleanup efforts after the Chernobyl disaster, a serious nuclear accident.
From 1994, he was the director of the Latvian Traumatology and Orthopaedics Hospital. He became the head of its board in 1998. He left these jobs on July 5, 2007, before becoming president.
On April 27, 2007, he received a special award called the Order of the Three Stars. This award was given to him for his important work in helping patients and improving orthopedic medicine in Latvia.
Valdis Zatlers' Political Journey
Valdis Zatlers was involved with the Popular Front of Latvia from 1988 to 1989. This was a large group of people who worked for Latvia's independence.
On May 22, 2007, the political parties that formed the government in Latvia's parliament, called the Saeima, chose Zatlers as their candidate for president. Even though he was not a member of any political party, he had supported the People's Party when it was created in 1998. In the presidential election on June 2, 2011, another candidate, Andris Bērziņš, won. This was a surprise because many people expected Zatlers to win again. After leaving office, Zatlers started his own political group, the Reform Party, in July 2011.
His Time as President
On May 28, 2011, President Zatlers gave a TV speech. In his speech, he called for big changes to stop the bad influence of powerful business people. He said that lawmakers were not doing enough to fight corruption. He then announced that he would use his special powers as president to start a referendum. A referendum is when people vote on an important issue. This vote was about closing the current Saeima (parliament).
His decision came after the parliament refused to allow a search at the home of Ainārs Šlesers. Šlesers was a member of parliament and a former minister. Zatlers was the first President of Latvia to use these special presidential powers. In the referendum, 94% of the people who voted supported Zatlers' decision. Because of this vote, the Saeima was closed, and new parliamentary elections were held.
Relations with Russia
Valdis Zatlers attended the 2010 Moscow Victory Day Parade on May 9, 2010. This parade is a big celebration in Russia. In December 2010, Zatlers made his first official visit to Moscow as president. During his four-day visit, he talked with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. He also met with the Mayor of Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill.
While speaking at a business meeting in St. Petersburg on December 20, he supported the idea of making it easier for people to travel between the European Union and Russia without needing special visas. On the last day of the meeting, he placed flowers at the Piskaryov Memorial Cemetery.
Personal Life
Valdis Zatlers is married to Lilita Zatlere. They have three children together. Besides his native Latvian, he can also speak English and Russian very well.
Awards and Honors
Valdis Zatlers has received many awards from Latvia and other countries.
From Latvia
Commander Grand Cross (1st Class) with Chain of the Order of the Three Stars (2008)
Grand Cross (1st Class) of the Order of Viesturs (2008)
From Other Countries
Azerbaijan: Received the Heydar Aliyev Order (August 10, 2009)
Croatia: Received the Grand Order of King Tomislav (September 2, 2008)
Estonia: Received the Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana (April 2, 2009)
Finland: Received the Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose (2010)
Georgia: Received the St. George's Order of Victory (December 9, 2009)
Kazakhstan: Received the Order of Friendship (2008)
Lithuania: Received the Grand Cross with Golden Chain of the Order of Vytautas the Great (February 7, 2011)
Romania: Received the Collar of the Order of the Star of Romania (2011)
Spain: Received the Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (April 30, 2009)
Ukraine:
- Member of the Order of Liberty (April 26, 2011)
- First Class of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (June 25, 2008)
Honorary Doctorates
Yerevan State University: Honorary doctorate (2009)
Poland John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin:
Latvia Riga Stradiņš University: Honorary doctorate (2010)
See also
In Spanish: Valdis Zatlers para niños
