Former President of the Latvian Football Federation to Head the State Chancellery

In his new position, he intends to pursue a reduction in government spending, an increase in management efficiency, and a shift from bureaucratic procedures to concrete results. ### Government Approves New Leader On Tuesday, October 20, the Cabinet of Ministers of Latvia approved the candidacy of Kaspars Gorkshs for the position of Director of the State Chancellery. According to the official government website, he will begin his duties on November 16, 2026. The Director of the State Chancellery is appointed by the Prime Minister after approval by the government for a term of five years. The position has been vacant since May 19, 2026. An open competition was organized to find a new leader. ### Prime Minister Expects Serious Changes Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs expressed hope that Gorkshs will bring a new perspective, determination, and readiness to implement long-overdue changes to the work of the State Chancellery. According to the head of government, public administration needs a fresh approach to familiar processes and the courage to reconsider established working methods. Kulbergs emphasized that Gorkshs's professional experience and his unconventional view of management could be an important advantage for the further development of the State Chancellery. The Prime Minister wants to see this institution as a strong government center that relies on data analysis and helps make decisions faster and more accurately. In his opinion, Gorkshs possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to implement such transformations. ### Reducing Expenses and Combating Bureaucracy Upon taking office, Kaspars Gorkshs outlined several key priorities. First of all, he intends to improve the quality of government decision-making and strengthen control over their implementation. Another important task is to reduce state budget expenditures and use available resources more efficiently. The new leader plans to pay special attention to changing the culture of public administration: instead of focusing on procedures, officials should be oriented towards real results. "Public administration needs change. In my previous work, I repeatedly encountered situations where good initiatives were not implemented due to ineffective processes," Gorkshs stated. He noted that he intends to use his accumulated professional experience to improve interaction between government institutions and enhance their operational efficiency. Gorkshs believes that the State Chancellery should become a strong center of government capable of finding a balance between political priorities and the interests of society. He believes that revising work processes and enhancing accountability for decisions made will significantly increase the efficiency of public administration and the quality of services provided to the population. ### From Football to Leading a Government Institution Kaspars Gorkshs is well-known in Latvia primarily for his activities in the sports field. From March 2018 to October 2019, he served as the President of the Latvian Football Federation. From March 2020 to March 2023, Gorkshs worked as the Executive Director of the Latvian Association of Team Sports. From March 2021 to October 2023, he was also a member of the board of the Council of Sports Federations of Latvia. Since November 2020, Gorkshs has held the position of Director of the Jurmala Football School. Since April 3, 2023, he has been the General Director of the Latvian Confederation of Employers. In addition, from September 2023 to August 2024, Gorkshs lectured on sports law at the University of Latvia. In his professional activities, he has gained experience in interacting with government institutions, business organizations, and social partners, reconciling various interests, addressing strategic issues, and managing change. ### What Education Does the New Leader Have? Kaspars Gorkshs graduated from the University of Latvia. He holds a bachelor's degree in law and a master's degree in social sciences in political science. The government notes that during the selection process, Gorkshs demonstrated a good understanding of the principles of public administration, decision-making mechanisms, and the challenges associated with implementing reforms. ### What Does the State Chancellery Do? The State Chancellery is the central institution responsible for organizing and coordinating the work of the government of Latvia. Its task is not only to provide administrative support for the activities of the Cabinet of Ministers. The Chancellery also engages in data analysis, evaluating various scenarios of government decisions, and attracting experts from different fields. Based on research and factual information, it helps the Prime Minister and the government make more informed decisions. The Director of the State Chancellery is a senior civil servant. ### Will Gorkshs Be Able to Change the Work of the Government Apparatus? The appointment of Kaspars Gorkshs is notable in that the leadership of one of the key government institutions is entrusted to a person whose career is linked not only to public administration but also to sports, public organizations, and the representation of employers' interests. The government hopes that this experience will help to reconsider familiar bureaucratic processes and increase the effectiveness of government institutions. Gorkshs himself promises to pay special attention to reducing expenses, accountability for decisions, and the quality of public services. Now the main task of the former head of Latvian football is to achieve results not on the sports field but within the system of public administration.