Challenges of a Post-Communist Presidency: Vaira Vike-Freiberga and the Leadership of Latvia

Abstract

In 1999, Vaira Vı̄kṃe-Freiberga became the first woman president elected in Latvia, as well as the first female executive to assume that office in the post-communist Central and East European region. She was elected by the democratic unicameral legislature and completed two terms in office. President Vı̄kṃe-Freiberga enjoyed record-high-approval ratings and achieved significant political successes, overseeing the accession of Latvia to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. As president, Vı̄kṃe-Freiberga did not embrace an explicitly feminist agenda: faced with economic challenges in a newly capitalist country, societal challenges in a country with ethnic tensions between the majority Latvian and minority Russian populations, and security challenges posed by a revanchist Russian neighbor, she focused on building consensus for progress around those issues. In her post-presidency, Vı̄kṃe-Freiberga has been an active advocate for both her country and women’s issues globally. She continues to command interest and respect at home and abroad.