Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership
The Republic of Latvia/Republika Latvijas (Female suffrage 1918) Independent 1918-44 and 4.5.90

Also see Latvia Heads and Latvia Parliament

1961-90 Minister of Social Affairs Valentina Pikkels

1965-89 Minister of Food Industry Irena Davidovna Kuznetsova

1970-76 Head of the Central Committee of the Department of Industry and Transport Vera Vasilevna Leonova
1976-? Chairperson of the State Committee of Labour in the Council of Ministers

1990 Minister of Social Affairs Gunn Luss

1992-93 State Minister of Finance Valentīna Andrējeva
2004-06 State Secretary of Finance

1990-94 Deputy State Secretary of Foreign Ministry Vita Anda Teravda
1994-95 Minister for State Reform
In 1995 She turned down the post of Minister of Defence. (b. 1963 in USA)

1993-94 Chairperson of the Cabinet-Committee for Physical Culture and Sport Dania Sveica

1994-95 State Minister of Finance Indra Sāmīte
1995 Minister of Finance

1995-97 State Minister of Finance for State Revenue Aija Poča
1998-99 State Minister for Revenue

1995-97 State Minister of Finance for Investments and Credit Policy Sarmite Jegere

1996-97 Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Economy Inese Vaidere
1998-99 Minister for Environment
Presidential Candidate in 1999, Presidential Advisor on Economical and Political Affairs 1999-2001, Vice-Mayor of Riga 2001-02 and from 2002 MP and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. (d. 1952-).

1997 Minister of European Affairs Ilga Kreituse
Chairperson of the Saeima 1995-96.

1997-98 Minister of Culture Ramona Umblija

1998-99 and 2000-02 Minister of Justice Ingrida Labucka
Judge and Lawyer, Member of the International Court of Arbitration in the Hague 2001-04, Member of Parliament 2002-04), Judge at the European Court of Human Rights from 2004. (b. 1964-).

1998-2002 Minister of Culture Karina Pētersone
2006 Minister for Special Assignments for Society Integration Affairs
Vice-President of the Saema from 2006 and nominated as Presidential Candidate in 2007, but withdrew before the elections.

1998-99 Government Spokesperson Liga Krapane

1999 Minister of Economics Ingrīda Ūdre
2004 Designate European Commissioner of Taxation and Revenue
From 1998 Co-Chairperson and 1998-99 Vice-Chairperson of the Saeima Fracion of the New Party, before becoming leader of Leader Union of Greens and Farmers, and it's Deputy Parliamentary Group Chairperson 2002-06, Presidential Candidate in 1999 and Chairperson of the Saeima 2002-06. In 2004 she opted not to become Prime Minister but let someone else from her party take that post. Her nomination met with severe critic in both Latvia and the European Parliament and she was later asked to withdraw her nomination. (b. 1958-).

1999 State Minister of Higher Education Tatjana Koķe

1999-President Vaira Vîke-Freiberga (8.7.99-)
She grew up in exile in Canada and was Professor of Linguistics in Montreal before returning to Latvia in 1998. (b. 1937-)

1999-2002 Minister of Education and Science Silva Golde

1999- Chancellor of the Government Gunta Veismane
As Director of the State Chancellery she is head of the civil service and Secretary of the Cabinet. The Deputy Director is Una Klapkalne.

1999-2006 State Secretary of Agriculture Laimdota Straujuma
2007- State Secretary of Regional Development and Local Government