Openly Gay Latvian Foreign Minister Elected President

Bloomberg News reports:

Latvia’s parliament elected long-time Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics as the Baltic nation’s new president, making him the European Union’s first openly gay head of state. Fifty-two lawmakers in the 100-seat legislature in Riga voted for Rinkevics, who has served as Latvia’s top envoy for almost 12 years, to succeed President Egils Levits.

Rinkevics has been a consistent advocate for supporting Ukraine and a strident critic of the Kremlin. While the 27-member bloc has had several gay prime ministers — including Ireland’s Leo Varadkar and Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg — Rinkevics would be the first in a member state’s highest office.

Read the full article.

Zelensky, the president of the European Parliament, and other officials send their congratulations below.

Latvia’s parliament elects long-time foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics as the new president, making him the EU’s first openly gay head of state https://t.co/kcx7xzf2m7

— Bloomberg (@business) May 31, 2023

I am honoured and humbled to be elected as President of the Republic of Latvia, I will do my best to serve the people of Latvia well. I thank Members of Parliament for their trust ??

— Edgars Rinkēvičs (@edgarsrinkevics) May 31, 2023

Heartfelt congratulations to my Baltic brother @edgarsrinkevics on being elected President of Latvia! We will continue to stand together in support of Ukraine, NATO and the EU. ??❤️?? pic.twitter.com/qwScUo6OwW

— Gabrielius Landsbergis?? (@GLandsbergis) May 31, 2023

Sincere congratulations to a true friend of Ukraine @edgarsrinkevics on his election as President of the Republic of Latvia. I look forward to continuing ??-?? close cooperation and partnership for the benefit of our peoples, for the common victory of the values of freedom and…

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) May 31, 2023

?? Well I think @edgarsrinkevics has just raised the bar for Pride – being a gay man elected President of Latvia while @RigaPride ?️‍? is happening. Look forward to being there for my fourth #RigaPride this weekend! https://t.co/DxSHbpVXAk

— Steve Taylor (He/Him) (@danophile) May 31, 2023

Warm congratulations to @edgarsrinkevics, Latvia’s new President.

Europe continues to count on your personal commitment and Latvia’s strong support to Ukraine.

Our priority must be the protection of our shared values ????

— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) May 31, 2023

My warmest congratulations to @edgarsrinkevics on being elected by Parliament as #Latvia’s next President. I look forward to further strengthening the relationship between our nations under your presidency. @Latvian_MFA @MFA_SriLanka pic.twitter.com/fJfZEsAL6v

— M U M Ali Sabry (@alisabrypc) May 31, 2023