About Me
Hello. I’m Andrejs Mamikins. I was born on 11 March 1976 in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) and moved with my family to Riga, Latvia, shortly thereafter. I studied Russian language and literature at the University of Latvia, where I earned both my undergraduate degree and, in 2010, a master’s in philology. Before entering politics, I worked as a journalist for several Russian-language newspapers, radio stations and television channels, including Viasat’s TV5 Latvia and REN TV’s Baltic service
In 2014, I was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the Harmony party, serving until 2019. During my term, I sat with the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, participated in delegations for relations with Belarus, Central Asian states and Mongolia, and worked on the EU–Georgia Association Agreement as rapporteur.
My Apology
I owe my supporters, colleagues, and the people of Latvia a sincere apology. In recent years, I have made statements and taken actions that have caused pain and raised legitimate concerns:
- Fleeing Latvia and Expressing Controversial Views: In September 2023, I left Latvia for Moscow, stating I was escaping what I described as a “Nazi regime.” Since then, I voiced support for Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine, sought to downplay documented atrocities such as the Bucha massacre, and criticized efforts to remove Soviet-era monuments in Latvia.
- Legal Proceedings: In June 2024, a European Arrest Warrant was issued against me by the Latvian Prosecutor General’s Office over alleged wrongdoing.
I deeply regret that my words and choices have alienated many and undermined trust. I apologize to the Latvian community for any harm or division I contributed to. I also apologize to my former constituents in the European Parliament for failing to uphold the standards of transparency, respect, and solidarity that such a role demands.
Moving Forward
I am committed to reflecting on my mistakes, listening to those I have hurt, and learning how best to atone. My goal now is to foster genuine dialogue, acknowledge the full truth of recent events, and work where possible – oward reconciliation.