JÄnis JurkÄns
Jānis Jurkāns ( born August 31, 1946 in Riga) is a Latvian politician. He was the first foreign minister after the independence of Latvia in 1990.
Life
Jurkāns is of Polish descent. In 1974, he completed a study of the English language at the University of Latvia. In the time of the secession of Latvia by the Soviet Union, he took part in the political life and was a member of the Popular Front. From 1990 to 1992 he was Secretary of State in the Cabinet Godmanis. From 1994 to 2005 he was chairman of Tautas Saskaņas partija and deputy in the Saeima. After his party exited the alliance Par Cilvēka Tiesībām Vienotā Latvijā, Jurkāns announced his resignation.
2011 he may run again for the party Šlesera Reformu partija LPP / LC as a potential Secretary of State.