Political Leaders: Estonia

Leaders of Estonia
(Republic of Estonia)

[To the list of countries]
[To the ZPC Homepage]

Look for biographies of the leaders (in Spanish) at CIDOB website. See also the former USSR for data before 1990 as well as a detailed page on Estonian Governments since 1990 to know more about the ruling parties.

Former parties and coalitions: EKP: Estonian Communist Party ERSP: Estonian National Independence Party (1988-1995 > IERSP) Rahvarinne: Popular Front of Estonia (1989-1992) ELDP: Estonian Liberal Democratic Party (1990-1994 > RE) ESDP: Estonian Social Democratic Party (1990-1996 > Moderates) EMK: Estonian Rural Center Party (1990-1996 > Moderates) RK Isamaa: National Coalition Party Pro Patria (1992-1995 > IERSP) L (Liberaalid): Liberals (1994, caucus > RE) P (Parempool): Rightists (caucus) EME: Estonian Country People's Party (1994-1999 > ERL) ET (Talurahvaerakond): Estonian Farmers' Party (1994-1998 > ER) KE (Koonderakond): Estonian Coalition Party, a.k.a KMÜ-K when part of late KMÜ (1994-2001) KMÜ: Coalition Party and Rural Union (five-party coalition, 1995-1999) IERSP (Isamaaliit): Pro Patria Union (1995-2006 > IRL) M (Mõõdukad): Moderates (1996-2004, renamed to SDE) ER (Rahvaerakond): Estonian People's Party (1998-1999 > Moderates) EPPE: Estonian Pensioners' and Families' League (?-2000 > ERL) EM: Estonian Rural Union (?-2000 > ERL) ResP: Union for the Republic-Res Publica (2001-2006 > IRL)

Current parties: RE (Reformierakond): Estonian Reform Party (1994) Kesk: (Keskerakond) Estonian Center Party (1995) ERL (Rahvaliit): Estonian People's Union (1999, prev. EME) SDE: Social Democratic Party (2004, prev. M) IRL (Isamaa ja Res Publica Liit): Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica (2006) n/p: non-party

Heads of State

Chairman of the Supreme Council
Arnold Rüütel        29 Mar 1990 -  6 Oct 1992         EKP, n/p (*)

President
Lennart Georg Meri    6 Oct 1992 -  8 Oct 2001 (+2006) RK Isamaa, n/p 
Arnold Rüütel         8 Oct 2001 -  9 Oct 2006         ERL, n/p
Toomas Hendrik Ilves  9 Oct 2006 -                     SDE, n/p

(*) Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet under Soviet rule from 11 Apr 1983 to 29 Mar 1990. Ruler of an independent state since 6 Sep 1991 (declaration of 20 Aug 1991 recognized by USSR).

Prime Ministers

Edgar Savisaar        3 Apr 1990 - 30 Jan 1992         Rahvarinne
Tiit Vähi            30 Jan 1992 - 21 Oct 1992         n/p        
Mart Laar            21 Oct 1992 -  8 Nov 1994         RK Isamaa  
Andres Tarand         8 Nov 1994 - 17 Apr 1995         n/p        
Tiit Vähi            17 Apr 1995 - 17 Mar 1997         KMÜ-K      
Mart Siimann         17 Mar 1997 - 25 Mar 1999         KMÜ-K      
Mart Laar            25 Mar 1999 - 28 Jan 2002         IERSP      
Siim Kallas          28 Jan 2002 - 10 Apr 2003         RE
Juhan Parts          10 Abr 2003 - 13 Apr 2005         ResP
Andrus Ansip         13 Apr 2005 -                     RE

Prime Ministers acting as Presidents in exile

Jüri Uluots          21 Jun 1940 -  9 Jan 1945 (+)    
August Rei            9 Jan 1945 - 29 Mar 1963 (+)    
Aleksander Warma     29 Mar 1963 - 23 Dec 1970 (+)    
Tõnis Kint           23 Dec 1970 -  1 Mar 1990 (+)     
Heinrich Mark         1 Mar 1990 - 15 Sep 1992 (+2004) 
Mihkel Mathiesen     15 Sep 1992 - 28 Nov 2003 (+)     (*)
Kalev Ots            28 Nov 2003 -                     (*)

(*) Self-styled, unrecognized.

Acting Prime Ministers in exile

Otto Tief            18 Sep 1944 - 12 Jan 1953 (+1976)
Johannes Sikkar      12 Jan 1953 - 22 Aug 1960 (+)
Tõnis Kint           22 Aug 1960 –  1 Jan 1962 (+1990) 
Aleksander Warma      1 Jan 1962 - 29 Mar 1963 (+1970)   
Tõnis Kint            2 Apr 1964 - 23 Dec 1970 (+1990)
Heinrich Mark         8 May 1971 -  1 Mar 1990 (+2004)  
Enno Penno            1 Mar 1990 - 15 Sep 1992
Kalev Ots            15 Sep 1992 - 28 Nov 2003         (*)
Ahti Mänd             7 Dec 2003 -                     (*)

(*) Self-styled, unrecognized. (List courtesy of Erki Kangro)

Speakers of the Riigikogu

Ülo Nugis            1992-1995         RK Isamaa  
Toomas Savi          1995-2003         RE
Ene Ergma            2003-2006         ResP
Toomas Varek         2006-2007         KesK
Ene Ergma            2007-             IRL

Ministers of Foreign Affairs

Lennart Georg Meri   1990-1992 (+2006) Rahvarinne
Jaan Manitski        1992              n/p       
Trivimi Velliste     1992-1994         RK Isamaa  
Jüri Luik            1994-1995         RK Isamaa  
Riivo Sinijärv       1995              KMÜ        
Siim Kallas          1995-1996         RE
Toomas Hendrik Ilves 1996-1998         n/p, ET, ER   
Raul Mälk            1998-1999         n/p       
Toomas Hendrik Ilves 1999-2002         ER, M
Kristiina Ojuland    2002-2005         RE
Jaak Jõerüüt         2005              n/p (acting)
Rein Lang            2005              RE
Urmas Paet           2005-             RE

(List courtesy of Mel Huang)

Ministers of Defence

Uno Veering          1992              (interim)
Ülo Uluots           1992      (+1997) Rahvarinne 
Hain Rebas           1992-1993         ERSP
Jüri Luik            1993-1994         RK Isamaa  
Indrek Kannik        1994              RK Isamaa  
Enn Tupp             1994-1995         RK Isamaa  
Andrus Öövel         1995-1999         KMÜ        
Jüri Luik            1999-2002         IERSP      
Sven Mikser          2002-2003         Kesk
Margus Hanson        2003-2004         RE
Jaak Jõerüüt         2004-2005         RE
Jürgen Ligi          2005-2007         RE
Jaak Aaviksoo        2007-2011         IRL
Mart Laar            2011-             IRL

(List courtesy of Mel Huang)

Ministers of the Interior

Olev Laanjärv        1990-1992 (+2007)
Robert Närska        1992              Rahvarinne    
Lagle Parek          1992-1993         ERSP
Heiki Arike          1993-1994         n/p
Kaido Kama           1994-1995         P   
Edgar Savisaar       1995              KesK
Märt Rask            1995-1996         RE
Riivo Sinijärv       1996-1997         KMÜ        
Robert Lepikson      1997-1998 (+2006) KMÜ         
Olari Taal           1998-1999         n/p
Jüri Mõis            1999              IERSP
Tarmo Loodus         1999-2002         IERSP
Ain Seppik           2002-2003         Kesk
Toomas Varek         2003              Kesk
Margus Leivo         2003-2005         ERL
Kalle Laanet         2005-2007         Kesk   
Jüri Pihl            2007-2009         n/p
Rein Lang            2009              RE (acting)
Marko Pomerants      2009-2011         IRL
Ken-Marti Vaher      2011-             IRL

(List courtesy of Mel Huang)

Ministers of Finance

Rein Miller          1990-1992
Madis Üürike         1992-1994 n/p
Heiki Kranich        1994      RK Isamaa
Andres Lipstok       1994-1995 L, RE
Mart Opmann          1995-1999 KMÜ
Siim Kallas          1999-2002 RE
Harri Õunapuu        2002-2003 Kesk
Tõnis Palts          2003      ResP
Taavi Veskimägi      2003-2005 ResP
Aivar Sõerd          2005-2007 ERL
Ivari Padar          2007-2009 SDE
Helir-Valdor Seeder  2009      IRL (acting)
Jürgen Ligi          2009-     RE

(List courtesy of Mel Huang)

Chairmen of Kesk

Edgar Savisaar       1995-1996 
Andra Veidemann      1995-1996 
Edgar Savisaar       1996-

Kesk was registered as a party for the 5 Mar 1995 elections, but functioned as a parliamentary caucus since 1992.

Chairmen of Liberaalid, RE

Siim Kallas          1994-2004 
Andrus Ansip         2004-

RE was established as a party on 14 Nov 1994; since 27 Jun 1994 it had existed as a parliamentary caucus known as the Liberals (Liberaalid). Shortly after its foundation, the ELDP was merged into it.

Chairmen of EMK, ESDP, Mõõdukad, SDE

Chairmen of EMK
Ivar Raig            1990-1994 
Vambo Kaal           1994-1996 

Chairmen of ESDP
Marju Lauristin      1990-1995 
Eiki Nestor          1995-1996 

Chairmen of Mõõdukad/SDE
Andres Tarand        1996-2001 
Toomas Hendrik Ilves 2001-2002 
Ivari Padar          2002-2009
Jüri Pihl            2009-2010
Sven Mikser          2010-

The Mõõdukad (Moderates) was registered as a party on 28 Apr 1996 as the merger of the EMK (founded 7 Apr 1990) and the ESDP (founded 8 Sep 1990). Both parties formed a common list for the 1992 and 1995 elections and up to 1996 they shared a single parliamentary caucus called the Moderates as well. On 27 Nov 1999 the ER merged into the Moderates, producing a new party called People's Party Moderates. The party changed its name to SDE on 7 Feb 2004.

Co-chairmen of IRL

Taavi Veskimägi    +            
Tõnis Lukas          2006-2007
Mart Laar            2007-

IRL was founded on 4 Jun 2006 as the merger of IERSP and ResP.

Chairmen of EME and ERL

Arnold Rüütel        1994-2000 
Villu Reiljan        2000-2007
Ester Tuiksoo        2007      (acting)
Jaanus Marrandi      2007-2008
Karel Rüütli         2008-2010
Arvo Sirendi         2010      (acting)
Juhan Aare           2010
Andrus Blok          2010-2011
Margo Miljand        2011-

EME was founded in 1994 from a rural parliamentary caucus existing since 1992. Member of the five-party KMÜ coalition (see above) before the 1999 elections, on 18 Oct 1999 it changed its name to ERL and on 10 Jun 2000 it merged with two extraparliamentary and also former KMÜ parties, the EM and the EPPE. The new party retained the name ERL.

Chairmen of ResP (2001-2006)

Rein Taagepera       2001-2002  
Juhan Parts          2002-2005  
Taavi Veskimägi      2005-2006

Res Publica was founded on 7 Dec 2001. On 4 Jun 2006 ResP merged with IERSP to form the IRL.

Chairmen of ERSP, RK Isamaa and IERSP (1988/1992-2006)

Chairmen of ERSP
Lagle Parek          1988-1993 
Tunne Kelam          1993-1995  

Chairman of RK Isamaa
Mart Laar            1992-1995 

Chairmen of IERSP
Toivo Jürgenson      1995-1998 
Mart Laar            1998-2002 
Tunne Kelam          2002-2005 
Tõnis Lukas          2005-2006

IERSP (Isamaaliit) was born on 2 Dec 1995 as the merger of ERSP, founded in Aug 1988, and RK Isamaa, founded in Nov 1992 as the merger of four parties: Estonian Christian-Democratic Union, Estonian Christian-Democratic Party, Conservative National Party and Coalition Party of Republicans. A fifth force, the Estonian Liberals, joined RK Isamaa later. On 4 Jun 2006 IERSP merged with ResP to form the IRL

Chairmen of KMÜ-K / KE (1994-2001)

Tiit Vähi            1994-1997 
Mart Siimann         1997-1999 
Andrus Öövel         1999-2000 
Märt Kubo            2000-2001

KE was first founded in Dec 1991 as a parliamentary caucus and was registered as a party in 1994 to contest the 1995 elections. From 1995 to 1999 was part of the electoral block KMÜ together with the EM, the EME, the EPPE and the Farmers' Assembly (PK), receiving the alternative name of KMÜ-K. In 1999 the five-party coalition was disbanded, althought KE run allied with EPPE and EM in the ballots that year. KE was disbanded on 17 Nov 2001.

Chairmen of ET, ER (1994-1999)

Jaan-Hans Kuks       1994-1998
Toomas Hendrik Ilves 1998-1999

The ET was founded on 5 Nov 1994. On 5 Apr 1998 it merged with the People's Party of Republicans and Conservatives to form the ER (Rahvaerakond). The ER merged into the Moderates on 27 Nov 1999, ceasing to exist.

[To the list of countries]