Government approves Gorkš as Director of the State Chancellery

On Tuesday, the government approved Kaspars Gorkšs, the general director of the Latvian Employers' Confederation (LDDK), for the position of Director of the State Chancellery.

Initially, it was planned to decide on Gorkšs' appointment last week, but the decision was postponed so that he could meet with the faction of the 'New Unity' (JV). The final decision to support the candidate was delegated to the ministers of the political force at the government meeting.

Meanwhile, the Greens and Farmers Union, as well as the National Alliance, had previously expressed support for the candidacy of Gorkšs, promoted by Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (AS). After the conclusion of a repeated competition, Kulbergs decided to nominate Gorkšs for the position of Director of the State Chancellery. The Prime Minister indicated that he expects strong, data-driven operations from the State Chancellery and expressed confidence that Gorkšs has the appropriate experience to implement the necessary changes.

Currently, Gorkšs is the general director of LDDK, but since 2020, he has also been leading the Jūrmala Football School. Previously, he was a board member of the Latvian Sports Federation Council, the executive director of the Latvian Team Sports Association, and the president of the Latvian Football Federation. Gorkšs also has academic experience, giving lectures in the study course 'Sports Law' at the University of Latvia. He holds a bachelor's degree in law and a master's degree in political science from the University of Latvia.

The position of Director of the State Chancellery became vacant after the previous head of the institution, Raivis Kronbergs, left the position following his detention in the so-called wood industry case. The Director of the State Chancellery is a high-level state civil service official who leads the work of the government center and provides support for the activities of the Prime Minister and the government.