Mr Kārlis Piģēns, who was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 25 October, becomes a member of the Competition Council (the CC) from 21 November 2022.
In 2022, in order to strengthen the capacity and independence of the CC, the Law on Competition was amended, among other things increasing the number of members of the Council, the decision-making body of the CC, from three to five. The Ministry of the Economy thus posted a call for the selection of two members of the CC, which closed on 31 August 2022. On 25 October, having assessed the results of the competition and the Commission's decision, the Cabinet of Ministers confirmed K. Piģēns as a member of the CC.
K. Piģēns holds a Master's Degree in Law from the University of Latvia, is currently a PhD candidate in Law at Riga Stradiņš University and a scientific assistant at the Faculty of Business, Management and Economics of the University of Latvia. K. Piģēns has previous work experience at the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission as the main expert on European Union affairs, at the magazine "Lawyer’s Word” as a legal affairs editor, as well as work experience at the University of Latvia, the RISEBA School of Business and Management, in senior positions at the Ministry of Economics, as well as at the Riga Regional Court and the Riga District Court.
Currently, the CC Council is chaired by Mr Juris Gaiķis, with Mr Jānis Račko and Ms Līga Daugaviete serving as members. One Council member's seat remains vacant. The term of office of the Chair and members of the CC Council is five years. The Chair and members of the CC Council may be reappointed.
The main duties of a member of the CC are to implement the national policy in the field of competition law, to participate in the development and implementation of the institution's operational strategy, to decide on cases prepared by the CC, market surveillance and other pending materials, providing a reasoned personal opinion, to participate in the development of draft regulatory acts and other documents, to represent the institution in various consultations, committees, working groups and organisations in Latvia and abroad, as well as to make proposals to improve the effectiveness of the institution and actively participate in the management of change.