Saeima confirms Uzulnieks as welfare minister

RIGA - Saeima on Thursday confirmed the current Parliamentary Secretary of the Welfare Ministry Reinis Uzulnieks (Greens/Farmers) as the new minister of welfare by 72 votes to 16.

Uzulnieks, born in 1986, holds a professional bachelor's degree in law and a professional master's degree in business administration from Turiba University.

According to the website of the Central Election Commission, Uzulnieks is also a board member of the association "Sporto Latvija" and is a member of Latvian Farmers Union's Riga branch.

As reported, as she announced an intention to "restart" her government, Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity) dismissed Transport Minister Kaspars Briskens (Progressives), Education Minister Anda Caksa (New Unity) and Welfare Minister Uldis Augulis (Greens/Farmers), citing a need for new leaders.

Greens/Farmers have nominated Reinis Uzulnieks, Parliamentary Secretary of the Welfare Ministry, for Latvia's next welfare minister and New Unity has picked Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dace Melbarde (New Unity) for the post of education and science minister. The Progressives have nominated Defense Ministry Parliamentary Secretary Atis Svinka for the defense minister.