Ivars Godmanis

prime minister of Latvia

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July 16, 2026

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Ivars Godmanis served as the prime minister of Latvia. His government collapsed in February 2009 due to severe economic contraction, which forced Latvia to seek financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund. This economic crisis was triggered by soaring inflation, rising energy costs, and the global financial crisis of 2008. Austerity measures, including tax increases and public sector wage cuts, led to popular discontent. A new coalition government was formed under Valdis Dombrovskis, who implemented economic reforms.1

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Latvia
Independence restored
…the government of Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis collapsed in February 2009. A shaky coalition was forged by former opposition leader Valdis Dombrovskis, and a series of economic reforms were pushed through the Saeima. With the Latvian economy showing signs of modest recovery, the Dombrovskis government survived a parliamentary general election…
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…the government of Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis collapsed in February 2009. A shaky coalition was forged by former opposition leader Valdis Dombrovskis, and a series of economic reforms were pushed through the Saeima. With the Latvian economy showing signs of modest recovery, the Dombrovskis government survived a parliamentary general election…
Read More