Aivars Lembergs

Who is Aivars Lembergs?

Aivars Lembergs is a Latvian politician and businessman, who has been the mayor of Ventspils since 1988. Since 2008 he has faced a long-running investigation for bribery, money laundering and abuse of office; he vehemently denies all wrongdoing.

Lembergs was born in Jēkabpils, Latvia, to Jewish-Latvian parents. He studied economics in Latvian State University, graduating in 1977. He then worked in various positions in the Communist party of Latvia, becoming mayor of Ventspils in 1988. He stayed in this position after Latvia became independent and has been re-elected five times. Lembergs was the leader of the local political party, Latvijai un Ventspilij which he founded in 1994. Latvijai un Ventspilij has completely dominated the city politics since it was founded. Before the 2006 parliamentary election, Lembergs' party Latvijai and Ventspilij entered into an alliance with the Union of Greens and Farmers and the Union of Greens and Farmers named Lembergs as its candidate for the Prime Minister of Latvia. He remains its leading figure and chief financial supporter. He is one of the three "oligarchs" against which Zatlers' Reform Party has pledged to act if it achieves office.