Ingmārs Līdaka
Ingmārs Līdaka (born 13 August 1966, Vecumnieki) is a Latvian zoologist and politician who has represented the Union of Greens and Farmers in the Saeima, the Latvian national parliament.
Ingmārs Līdaka | |
|---|---|
 | |
| former Deputy of the Saeima | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 August 1966 Vecumnieki, Latvian SSR |
| Political party | Union of Greens and Farmers |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Latvia |
| Profession | Zoologist |
Prior to entering politics, Līdaka worked at Riga Zoo as a public relations specialist.[1] He entered politics in 1995 when he was elected to Riga City Council and was later elected to the Saeima.[1] He became better known following a parliamentary debate on when to fly the Latvian national flag in 2009 when, after his speech was interrupted by members of other parties, he shouted "Aizver muti!" (shut your mouth!)[1][2] This became a popular phrase in Latvia, with the YouTube video of the incident receiving over 85,000 views[2] and numerous T-shirts bearing the phrase being sold.[2] Līdaka also authored a book Zoodārzs manā pagalmā (The zoo in my backyard.)[3]
In March 2018, he resigned from the Saeima to become head of Riga Zoo[4]
References
- "Ingmārs Līdaka". Delfi (in Latvian). Archived from the original on 2014-12-09. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- Alberte, Ieva (21 October 2009). "Līdaka: frāzi "Aizver muti" nevajag pārspīlēt". Diena (in Latvian). Latvia. Archived from the original on 2014-12-13. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- Zālīte, Žanna (11 October 2014). "Vecumniekos tiekas Sarkanās skolas vēstures aizbildņi". Diena (in Latvian). Latvia. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- then was re-elected to 14th Saeima."The zoo needs me more than the parliament, says Līdaka". lsm.lv. Latvia. 9 March 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2020.