Former Justice Ministry Official Kalniņš Appointed Advisor to Latvian Foreign Minister

Inguss Kalniņš began his work as an advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Baiba Braže on June 15, 2026. His role focuses on public administration, international law, and European Union law. Kalniņš brings a wealth of legal and diplomatic experience to the ministry.

Kalniņš holds a law degree from the University of Latvia and a master's in European studies. He furthered his education in the U.S. at Tufts University's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, where he also lectured on international law and diplomacy. His career began at the Constitutional Court as a judge's assistant, followed by roles in the Ministry of Justice, focusing on European and international law.

After Latvia's accession to the EU, Kalniņš served as a legal counsel in the European Affairs Coordination Department and later as an attaché for justice matters at Latvia's permanent representation to the EU in Brussels. He became director of the EU Court Department at the Ministry of Justice in 2011 and was appointed Latvia's representative to the EU Court. He also served as deputy state secretary for strategic matters at the Ministry of Justice while retaining his representative role.

His international experience includes serving as a high-level EU advisor on justice in Chisinau, Moldova, from 2016 to 2018. Upon returning to Latvia, he was an advisor to the President of the Constitutional Court and worked with an independent expert council on international and European law. Most recently, from December 2022 to May 2026, he advised former Justice Minister Inese Lībiņa-Egnera.

Kalniņš is also a lieutenant and platoon commander in the Zemessardze 13th Infantry Battalion. Braže has two other advisors: Toms Sadovskis for strategic communication and public diplomacy, and Tomass Pildegovičs for security and societal resilience.