2024-05-07 09:43:31
Melbārde joins the team of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže, ending her work in the current convocation of the European Parliament (EP), where she was elected in the 2019 elections from the list of the National Union, where she was followed by Saeima MP Edvīns Shnore, Ansis Pūpols and Saeima Member Jānis Dombrava. This year, in the EP elections, Melbārde is running from the list of “New Unity” (JV) with number five.
Along with this decision, Melbārde resigns her mandate as an EP member, JV representative Anna Údre informed the LETA agency. The new position will not affect Melbarde’s activities as a JV candidate in the EP election campaign, where the politician is expected to continue to actively participate outside her daily work duties, according to the party association.
JV expresses its support for Melbarda in the position of parliamentary secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because as a member of the European Parliament she has “many times proven her high working abilities and understanding of political processes, as well as being competent in matters of foreign affairs”.
Melbārde previously served as Latvia’s Minister of Culture from 2013 to 2019. Before that, from 2011 to 2013, she was the director of the Latvian National Cultural Center, and from 2009 to 2011 – the head of the British Council’s representative office in Latvia. Melbärde also worked for many years in the Latvian National Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as president of the commission (2013-2019) and secretary general (1999-2004).
Melbārde received a master’s degree in public management from the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Latvia (LU), and a master’s degree in cultural theory and management from the Latvian Academy of Culture. Bachelor’s degree in history obtained at LU. Melbārde is currently working on a doctoral thesis at the Latvian Academy of Culture.
In 2017, the politician won the Honorary Award of the Culture Fund of the World Association of Free Latvians, and in 2013, Melbārde was awarded the Order of the Three Stars of the III class, as well as the Letter of Appreciation of the Cabinet of Ministers.
2024-05-07 09:43:31