The government decided on the matter at a March 26 remote meeting. Muižnieks' candidacy was supported by Education Minister Ilga Šuplinska (New Conservative Party) and unanimously approved by all the government ministers.
In August last year, the Cabinet of Ministers decided not approve Indriķis Muižnieks to continue in his position as Rector of the University of Latvia.
Amidst the controversy Mužnieks, who has served at the post since 2015, went to court contesting the government decision.
The reappointment of Muižnieks was controversial within academic and political circles following allegations of irregularities in the process of his election.
The University and Muižnieks himself denied any wrongdoing or that any rules were broken, and various voices have suggested the appointment of a new rector has become politicized.
Prior to becoming Pro-Rector of Sciences in 2000, Muižnieks was Dean of the Faculty of Biology, department head, docent and research assistant. He has been associated with the University since 1976 and has a doctoral degree in biology as a member of the Academy of Sciences.
He also appeared in an LSM series on Latvian exporters.