Definition
Raivis Zeltīts is a Latvian politician who has served as a member of the Saeima (the Latvian parliament) and held senior positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia.
Overview
Raivis Zeltīts was born in 1992 in Riga, Latvia. He completed higher education at the University of Latvia, graduating from the Faculty of Law. Zeltīts entered national politics as a member of the National Alliance (Nacionālā apvienība) and was elected to the 13th Saeima in the parliamentary elections of October 2018.
From July 2020 until May 2022, he served as State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, acting as the senior civil servant responsible for the ministry’s administrative operations. In May 2022, Zeltīts was dismissed from this post following media reports alleging undisclosed contacts with Russian intelligence services; no criminal charges were publicly filed.
Following his dismissal, Zeltīts joined the political party New Unity (Jaunā Vienotība) and, as of 2023, holds a position on the party’s executive board. He continues to be active in Latvian public life, focusing on foreign‑policy issues and European integration.
Etymology/Origin
- Raivis – a common Latvian masculine given name, derived from the Germanic name Raimund (“wise protector”).
- Zeltīts – a Latvian surname formed from zelt (a diminutive of zelts, “gold”) with the suffix ‑īts, indicating a diminutive or patronymic form; thus it can be interpreted as “little gold” or “son of gold”.
Characteristics
- Political affiliation: Initially affiliated with the National Alliance, a right‑wing, national‑conservative party; later affiliated with New Unity, a centrist, pro‑European party.
- Policy focus: Emphasis on foreign affairs, European Union integration, and Latvia’s security policy.
- Controversies: The 2022 allegations concerning contacts with Russian intelligence led to his removal from the State Secretary position; the matter was widely reported in Latvian media, though no formal legal proceeding was announced.
- Public roles: Member of the Saeima (2018–2022); State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2020–2022); executive board member of New Unity (2022–present).
Related Topics
- Saeima (the Latvian Parliament)
- National Alliance (Latvia)
- New Unity (Jaunā Vienotība)
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
- Latvian foreign‑policy and security strategy
- Political scandals in post‑Soviet Latvia.