Latvia’s candidate: Valdis Dombrovskis, 43. Former prime minister (2009-2014), MEP (2004-2009), minister of finance (2002-2004). Graduate in engineering economics at the Technical University of Riga and in physics at Riga University. Author of a book entitled ‘How Latvia came through the financial crisis’ (with economist Anders Aslund).
Personal details: Married.
Portfolio: Commission vice-president, euro and social dialogue.
Context: Having helped to get Latvia out of its most serious crisis since it regained its independence in 1990, Dombrovskis resigned, to general…