Birkavs went on to serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister for five years under four different prime ministers in subsequent governments, resigning from the latter position in 1999. He came second in the 1999 presidential elections as a parliamentary candidate and subsequently served as Minister of Justice until 2000. Beyond his national roles, Birkavs is a member of the Club of Madrid, a prestigious organization of 81 democratic former presidents and prime ministers from 57 countries.
