Godmanis served as prime minister from 1990 to 1993, focusing primarily on Latvia's difficult economic transition from planned to market economy.

In November 2006, following elections in which the Latvian Way in coalition with Latvia's First Party returned to Parliament, Godmanis became the Minister of the Interior.

[4] On 18 June 2008 he suffered head injuries in a car accident when his official limousine was involved in a collision with a small bus.

[5] On 19 September 2008 he replaced Roger Taylor on drums during Queen + Paul Rodgers' performance of "All Right Now" at a concert in Riga.

[8] On 20 February 2009, Godmanis resigned as prime minister along with the rest of his government over concerns about handling the economic crisis.