Uldis Augulis
Uldis Augulis (born 16 March 1972, in Dobele, Latvian SSR) is a Latvian politician and a member of the Union of Greens and Farmers. He holds a bachelor's degree in financial management from the University of Latvia. He was the former Welfare Minister from 12 March 2009 to 3 November 2010, the Minister of Transport from 3 November 2010 to 25 October 2011 and the acting Minister of Justice from March to April 2010. Augulis was elected to the Saeima on October 2, 2011. Career timeline. 2008 – 2009 - Parliamentary Secretary of Ministry of Welfare 2007 – 2008 - Parliamentary  Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture 2006 – 2008 Member of Parliament (Saeima), 2000 – 2006 Chairman of Berze Rural Municipality Since 1996 Owner of the Farm “Auguļi”, 1990 – 1996 Co-owner of the Farm “Īves” Other positions held: 2003 – 2006 Chairman of the Council, Dobele City Bus Fleet, Ltd. 2000 – 2006 Chairman of the Board, Dobele Department of Political Party Latvian Farmer's Union 2001 – 2006 Member of the Council, Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments 2003 – 2006 Member of the EU Committee of the Regions 2005 – 2006 Chairman of the Advisory Council, State Agency K.Ulmanis Memorial Museum Pikšas. Controversy. Augulis  caused controversy with his prioritisation of road and rail links between Riga and Moscow while delaying regional EU projects such as Rail Baltica citing a lack of funds. Latvia has already lost EUR 12.2 million (LVL 8.54 million) of EU funds due to hesitation over the Rail Baltica project, and the EU Transport Commissioner has stated there is no chance that the EU will contribute funds to the proposed Moscow link despite Augulis' assertion that the EU could contribute up to 85%. The high-speed railroad project between Riga and Moscow is economically justified due to increasing passenger and cargo  turnover, and it is not political, Russian Transport Minister Igor Levitin said after a meeting with Augulis.