Edvards Šlesers
Edvards Šlesers (born 1 October 1993) is a Latvian politician and businessman. He currently serves as a deputy in the Riga City Council and is the chairman of the Latvia First (LPV) party faction within the council. He is the eldest son of prominent Latvian politician and businessman Ainārs Šlesers and former Saeima deputy Inese Šlesere.
Early life and education
Edvards Šlesers was born on 1 October 1993 in Oslo, Norway.
After completing his secondary education in Latvia, he moved to the United Kingdom to pursue his studies. He obtained his higher education in London, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from King's College London and a Master of Science degree in Finance from Regent's University London.
Business
From 2015 to 2016, he served as a representative for the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in South East Asia. After returning from abroad, he established his career in the private sector.
His family business is directly involved in the real estate and logistics sectors in Latvia. This includes the Riga Waterfront, a €3 billion project launched in partnership with Mohamed Alabbar, the founder of Emaar Properties.
Additionally, the family business encompasses the Riga Port Group, which stands as the largest port company in Latvia. The group operates the most modern coal and fertilizer terminals in Northern Europe, while offering stevedoring, container, and railway services across the Baltic region.
Politics
Šlesers officially entered politics in 2025, joining the political party Latvia First (LPV).
He ran as a candidate in the 2025 municipal elections and was successfully elected as a deputy to the Riga City Council. His influence within the party's structures grew rapidly, and in August 2025, Šlesers was officially elected as the chairman of the LPV faction, which holds the largest number of seats in the Riga City Council.