Daniels Pavļuts (born 14 May 1976 in Jūrmala, Latvia) is a Latvian politician and former Minister for Health of Latvia from January 2021 to December 2022.[1] He was formerly the Minister for Economics of Latvia, a position he served in from 2011 until 2014.[2] In addition to his political and business career, he is a concert pianist.[3]

Daniels Pavļuts
Minister for Health of Latvia
In office
7 January 2021 – 14 December 2022
Prime MinisterArturs Krišjānis Kariņš
Preceded byIlze Viņķele
Succeeded byLīga Meņģelsone
Minister for Economics of Latvia
In office
25 October 2011 – 22 January 2014
Prime MinisterValdis Dombrovskis
Preceded byArtis Kampars
Succeeded byVjačeslavs Dombrovskis
Personal details
Born (1976-05-14) 14 May 1976 (age 47)
Jūrmala, Latvian SSR
Alma materLatvian Academy of Music
Harvard University

Career edit

Prior to a career in politics, Pavļuts served as the head of corporate affairs at Swedbank AS in Riga, brand director for DDB Latvia, a member of the board at the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a board member at ZENO Consulting.

From 2003 to 2006, Pavļuts held the office of State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture of Latvia. In 2001, he worked as an adviser to the Director of Management and Communication at the Latvian National Opera.[4]

Minister of Health edit

On January 7, 2021, Pavļuts was elected new Minister for Health of Latvia, after the sitting minister, Ilze Viņķele had stepped down at Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš's request.[1] During his tenure, he has overseen Latvia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although he was originally opposed to mandatory vaccination measures,[5] in November 2021 Saeima passed a law allowing employers to dismiss employees who do not have a valid vaccination against or recovery from COVID-19.[6]

On 16 September 2021, Pavļuts survived a vote of no confidence measure 50-34.[7] Hours after announcing the possibility of an emergency mobilisation of the Latvian medical field on 26 October,[8] the Latvian Medical Association called for his resignation due to a perceived lack of communication and "unprofessional approach".[9] Pavļuts did not resign, but promised better cooperation with the medical field and clarified that emergency mobilisation was not currently imminent.[10]

Education edit

Pavļuts earned a Bachelor of Arts from Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music in 1999, a post-graduate diploma in Cultural Management from City University London in 2000, and a Master of Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 2007.

He speaks Latvian, Russian, English, French, and German.[4]

Personal life edit

Pavļuts was married with Linda Pavļuta from 2006 until 2018,[11] with whom he has two sons.[12] In 2021 he married Elīna Grīnhofa, with whom he has twins.[13] In addition to his political and business career, Pavļuts is known as a concert pianist.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Pavļuts confirmed as new Health Minister". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  2. ^ "Saeima izsaka uzticību Dombrovska trešajai valdībai" (in Latvian). Delfi. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Izsmalcināts mūziķis ar milzu darbaspējām. Danielam Pavļutam - 45". klasika.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  4. ^ a b "Latvijas Republikas Ekonomikas Ministrija". Archived from the original on 2012-02-02. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  5. ^ "Health Minister against compulsory vaccination". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  6. ^ "Saeima adopts 'no Covid certificate, no job' law". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  7. ^ "Health Minister Pavļuts survives no confidence vote". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  8. ^ Gaidule, Sarmīte (2021-10-26). "Varbūtēja darbinieku mobilizācija un papildu Covid-19 gultas – kā palielinās slimnīcu kapacitāti". delfi.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  9. ^ "PM might decide on requiring Pavluts' resignation after meeting with Latvian Medical Association". baltictimes.com. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  10. ^ "Pavļuts promises better cooperation with medical sector". eng.lsm.lv. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  11. ^ "Apprecējies veselības ministrs Daniels Pavļuts". Jauns.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  12. ^ "Daniels Pavļuts izved sabiedrībā jaunu draudzeni". Jauns.lv (in Latvian). Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  13. ^ "Veselības ministra Daniela Pavļuta ģimenē sagaidīts pieaugums". www.santa.lv. Retrieved 2021-11-10.

External links edit