Background
Lembergs was born in JÄ“kabpils, Latvia.
Lembergs was born in JÄ“kabpils, Latvia.
He studied economics in Latvian State University (now known as the University of Latvia), graduating in 1977.
Since 2008 he has faced a long-running investigation for bribery, money laundering and abuse of office. He vehemently denies all wrongdoing. He then worked in various positions in the Communist party of Latvia, becoming mayor of Ventspils in 1988.
He stayed in this position after Latvia became independent and has been re-elected five times.
He remains its leading figure and chief financial supporter.
Lembergs was the leader of the local political party, Latvijai un Ventspilij ("Foreign Latvia and Ventspils") which he founded in 1994. Latvijai un Ventspilij has completely dominated the city politics since it was founded. Before the 2006 parliamentary election, Lembergs" party Latvijai and Ventspilij entered into an alliance with the Union of Greens and Farmers and the Union of Greens and Farmers named Lembergs as its candidate for the Prime Minister of Latvia.