Evika Siliņa
Who was Evika Siliņa?
Latvian jurist and politician who has served as Prime Minister of Latvia since 2023, previously holding senior positions in the Ministry of Justice.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Evika Siliņa (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Evika Siliņa was born on August 3, 1975, in Riga, Latvia. She studied law at the University of Latvia, the Riga Graduate School of Law, and the EuroFaculty program, establishing a solid base in law for her future career in public administration and politics. Her career began in the legal field, where she gained experience through senior roles in Latvia's Ministry of Justice before moving into elected political positions.
Before Fame
Growing up in Riga during the end of Soviet rule and the restoration of Latvian independence in 1991, Siliņa experienced a country going through major legal and institutional changes. This made the study and practice of law especially important, as Latvia aimed to rebuild its legal and governmental systems to match European democratic standards. Siliņa received thorough legal training from several institutions, including the EuroFaculty program, which was set up to help post-Soviet Baltic states train legal professionals for European integration. Her years in senior roles at the Ministry of Justice put her at the forefront of Latvia's efforts to modernize its legal system and align with European Union standards.
Key Achievements
- Became Prime Minister of Latvia on 15 September 2023, only the second woman to hold that office in the country's history.
- Served as Minister of Welfare in the second Kariņš cabinet from 2022 to 2023, overseeing social policy during a period of significant regional instability.
- Received the Order of Princess Olga, 1st class (2024) from Ukraine in recognition of her contributions to bilateral relations.
- Awarded Commander First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland in 2025 for distinguished service to Finnish-Latvian relations.
- Built a career spanning senior positions in Latvia's Ministry of Justice, contributing to the country's legal development and European integration.
Did You Know?
- 01.Siliņa is the second woman in Latvian history to hold the office of Prime Minister.
- 02.She served as Minister of Welfare in Krišjānis Kariņš's second cabinet from 2022 to 2023 before becoming Prime Minister.
- 03.She was awarded the Order of Princess Olga, 1st class, by Ukraine in 2024, reflecting Latvia's close diplomatic ties with Ukraine during the ongoing war.
- 04.In 2025 she received the Commander First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, one of that country's highest state honors.
- 05.Her government coalition collapsed in 2026, leading to her resignation on 14 May 2026, after which she continued as caretaker Prime Minister pending the appointment of a successor.
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Order of Princess Olga, 1st class | 2024 | — |
| Commander First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland | 2025 | — |