Born in 1964. Latvia. Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, linguistics (1996). B.A. University of Pennsylvania, linguistics (1988).Chairman of the company PK SIA (1994-2002).Member of the Latvian Parliament (since 2002). Minister for Economic Affairs of Latvia (2004-2006).Founder, Jaunais laiks party (2002). Member of the bureau, Jaunais laiks party (2003-2007). Chair of the bureau, Jaunais laiks party (2007-2008). Member of the bureau, Jaunais laiks party (since 2008).Chair of the 'Jaunais laiks' parliamentary party (2002-2004; 2006/2007). Minister for Economic Affairs of Latvia (2004-2006).B.A. Summa Cum Laude, elected to Phi Beta Kappa.MEP since 2009.