Gorkšs says State Chancellery must balance ambition with public good

Kaspars Gorkšs, the candidate to lead Latvia’s State Chancellery, says the government office must balance political ambition with the public good. He told Latvian Radio that he hopes to apply his experience at the Latvian Employers’ Confederation, LSM reported.

Gorkšs said he respects the non-governmental sector and sees the contribution it makes, but that good initiatives often fail to progress because of inefficient processes. He said this was one reason he applied for the post.

“The head of the State Chancellery works directly under the prime minister, so the prime minister’s vision for the Chancellery’s development is one of the guiding principles,” Gorkšs said.

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs of the United List has put forward Gorkšs, the confederation’s director general, for approval after the final round of an open competition. Three candidates advanced from the second round: Gorkšs; Ieva Jaunzeme, a former director general of the State Revenue Service who is now a sectoral attaché at the Central Finance and Contracting Agency; and Agita Kalviņa, director of the State Administration School.

The final round assessed candidates’ leadership skills, including strategic vision, decision-making and accountability, focus on results, change management and team leadership.