Following the elections in the Latvian Republic, Mr Andris Vilks has been appointed Minister of Finance, succeeding Mr Repše, and also becomes EIB Governor for the Republic of Latvia.

Born in 1963, Mr Vilks previously served as advisor to the Latvian Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovkis and his predecessor Mr Ivars Godmanis on economic, financial and banking issues.

From 1995 until May 2010 Mr Vilks held various positions in the banking sector in Latvia including Chief Economist at SEB banka and Head of Equity Market Analysis at Latvijas Unibanka.

Besides, in 2007, Mr Vilks was member of the Macroeconomic Situation Stabilisation Group established by the Latvian Governement and from 2005 until 2010, Head of the Economic and Monetary Committee of the Association of Latvian Commercial Banks.

From 1986 until 2004, he held various positions in State-owned companies and public organisations in Latvia.

He holds a degree in geography from the University of Latvia where he also worked as a lecturer.