Jānis Dinevičs, born in 1948, is leader of Latvijas Socialdemokratiska Strandnieku Partija. He graduated from Riga Polytechnic Institute, where he began his professional career as a lecturer and has reached the position of a Senior Lecturer. He is an electrical engineer and has been also a Head of Microprocessing Management Equipment Laboratory of Riga Technical University. In 1988, facing the dramatic political situation in Latvia, which fought for independence from USSR, Jānis Dinevičs became an active member of Latvian Popular Front (LPF). He has been one of the leaders of LPF and leader of LPF group in Latvian Parliament, thus, largely contributing to restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia, which is one of the most significant events in modern history of Latvia. Mr Dinevičs has been a member of Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Latvia. From 1990 till 1993 he has been Minister of State and Head of Latvian Delegation in talks with Russian Federation on normalization of relations and withdrawal of Russian army from the territory of Latvia. In recognition of outstanding civil merits in the service of Latvia, Mr Dinevičs has been awarded with the Order of the Three Stars. In recent years, Mr Dinevičs has been an active both Secretary General in 2001–2006, and leader of the party, was also nominated as candidate Prime Minister of the party before parliamentary elections in 2006. From 2007 till 2009 he has been vice Mayor of Riga.