In his recent interview, businessman and founder of the Combined List (AS) political party Uldis Pīlēns said he plans to run in upcoming presidential elections in Latvia.
He is the first new candidate to announce his plans to run in presidential elections in May. Latvia’s current President Egils Levits has yet to announce any plans.
Pīlēns explained he made this decision after giving it some serious thought. This is why it took him this long to reach a conclusion.
“Easter is a period of time reserved for serious thoughts in the Christian world. […] This is not a matter of want. I said before the war in Ukraine that it is not a post I really want. But the situation in the world is very unstable, and we – including people in politics – are responsible. I have 35 years of business operations. I am an architect by trade, and I need time to deal with this large amount of trust provided by AS members. To understand if I can carry this responsibility, to discuss it with my family and to start settling affairs related to the business, because the potential presidential post is incompatible with business activities,” said Pīlēns.
If he does get elected as state president, Pīlēns will have to abandon his business. He said he has started working on this process.
Pīlēns will be the presidential candidate from AS with 100% backing from his party, he said. The candidate did not comment which political party’s support he hopes to receive, but he did say he is prepared to work with all political parties represented in the parliament.
When asked about the chances of getting sufficient votes, Pīlēns said running for president is an important decision.
“If we, the members of the Combined List, deputies and myself did not see the potential for a majority of votes, it would be nothing more than a theatrical performance,”
said Pīlēns.
When asked which parties’ support he hopes to receive, the politician said the president is elected by 100 Saeima deputies elected by citizens. Pīlēns is prepared to reach out to all factions, speak with all deputies even knowing he has “concrete support from the Combined List”.
According to him, there are no best or worst votes in the parliament, considering that Latvian citizens are the ones who elect the parliament.
“I believe all 100 votes are equal. […] Votes can distribute equally between opposition and position. The president, as a politically neutral person, is responsible for all processes, the entire political spectrum. He needs to be capable of communicating with all parties,” said Pīlēns.
Pīlēns was born in Liepaja in 1956. He received higher education at Riga Polytechnic Institute, the Faculty of Architecture and Construction. He also graduated from Weimar University of Architecture and Construction. He was once Liepaja’s chief architect and the consultant to Latvian Union of Architects and consultant of the Nīca Soviet Farm. He founded Architect U.Pīlēns Bureau LLC in 1988.
He later started working in business and remains the co-owner and council chairman of UPB construction and industrial concern. Pīlēns was mentioned among Latvia’s millionaires multiple times in the past.
In 1997 he was appointed the chairman of Liepaja Sea Port authority and board chairman of Liepaja Special Economic Zone. Between 1999 and 2000 he worked in the council of Latvenergo. In 2001 he left his post as board chairman of Liepaja Special Economic Zone.
In 2005 he was elected as deputy of Liepaja City Council.
Pīlēns participated in the foundation of the People’s Party in Liepaja. He also served as a member of the party’s board. In May 2022 Pīlēns announced the creation of Latvian Combined List election association. In July of the same year he announced the creation of the Combined List.