Prime Minister of Estonia
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The Prime Minister of Estonia (Estonian: Eesti Vabariigi Peaminister) is the head of government of the Republic of Estonia. The prime minister is chosen by the President and conferred by Parliament. This is usually the leader of the largest party or coalition in the Parliament. The current Prime Minister is Andrus Ansip, who took office on 12 April 2005, representing the coalition of Estonian Reform Party (Eesti Reformierakond), the Estonian Centre Party (Eesti Keskerakond), and the People's Union of Estonia (Eestimaa Rahvaliit).
The activity of the government is directed by the Prime Minister, who is the actual political head of state. He does not head any specific ministry, but is, in accordance with the constitution, the supervisor of the work of the government. The Prime Minister’s significance and role in the government and his relations with other ministries often depend on the position of the party led by the prime minister in vis-à-vis the coalition partners, and on how much influence the prime minister possesses within his own party. If the prime minister has a strong position within his party, and the government is made up solely of representatives of that party, he can enjoy considerable authority. In all crucial national questions, however, the final word rests with Riigikogu as the legislative power.
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[edit] History
Estonia was governed by a Prime Minister during the first two years, 1918-1920, of its independence after the collapse of the Russian Empire.
Under Estonia's 1920 constitution, a Presidential system was adopted with the State Elder of Estonia holding executive powers. Under a new constitution passed by plebiscite in 1933, the position of Prime Minister was recreated as head of government in 1934 in a more parliamentary system. The sitting State Elder, Konstantin Päts, appointed himself to the position of Prime Minister and in this position was then able to suspend elections for Elder of State and for the Estonian Parliament. He remained Prime Minister, declaring himself "State Protector", until 1938, when elections were held under a new constitution and he was elected President.
[edit] Prime Ministers
[edit] 1918 to 1920
| Name | Took Office | Left Office | Party | Coalition | |
| 1 | Konstantin Päts 1 | 24 February 1918 | 26. November 1918 | Union of Rural People | Non-party big coalition |
| 2 | Konstantin Päts 1 | 26 November 1918 | 9 May 1919 | Union of Rural People | Non-party big coalition |
| 3 | Otto Strandman | 9 May 1919 | 18 November 1919 | Estonian Labor Party | ESDTP+TE+RE |
| 4 | Jaan Tõnisson | 18 November 1919 | 28 July 1920 | Estonian People's Party | ESDTP+TE+RE |
| 5 | Ado Birk 2 | 28 July 1920 | 30 July 1920 | Estonian People's Party | TE+RE+KRE |
| 6 | Jaan Tõnisson (2nd time) 3 | 30 July 1920 | 26 October 1920 | Estonian People's Party | RE |
| 7 | Ants Piip4 | 26 October 1920 | 21 December 1920/25. January 1921 | Estonian Labor Party | TE |
Governments 1 -2 Country Councils one's (Maapäeva or Maanõukogu valitsused); 3 - 7 appointed by the directly elected Constituent Assembly (Asutav Kogu)
[edit] 1920 to 1934
Head of government was called "State's Elder" (Riigivanem). He was the head of cabinet and was elected as well as depended on parliament, thus closer to a PM, although had some responsibilities of a president as well. A specific president did not existed, presidential functions were shared between Sates's Elder and speaker of the parliament. Government could be, as in 1919-1920, and sometimes was, put into office by a simple majority vote with even less than an absolute majority, and was the same easy to remove.
[edit] Legend
PK - Farmers Unions (Põllumeeste Kogud)
TE - Estonian Labor Party (Eesti Tööerakond)
RE - Estonian Peoples Party (Eesti Rahvaerakond)
ESDTP - Estonian Social Democratic Workers Party /Eesti Sotsiaaldemokraatiline Partei; since 1925 ESTP - Estonian Socialist Workers Party (eesti Sotsialistlik Tööliste Partei
AS - Settlers party (Asunikud ...)
KRE Christian Peoples Party (Kristlik Rahvaerakond)
RVP - National Liberal Party (Rahvuslik Vabameelne Partei)
MAJA - Union of the Real Estate Owners Societies (Üleriiklik Majaomanike Seltside Liit)
ÜPE - United Peasants Party (Ühinenud Põllumeeste erakond), former and later PK+AS
RKE - National Centre Party (Rahvuslik Keskerakond), former RE+TE+KRE+MAJA
Governments of:
1-2 - I Riigikogu
3-6 - II Riigikogu
7-10 - III Riigikogu
11-13 - IV Riigikogu
14-17 - V Riigikogu
[edit] 1934 to 1937
| Name | Took Office | Left Office | Party | |
| Konstantin Päts (2nd Time) | 24 January 1934 | 3 September 1937 | Non-party |
[edit] 1938 to 1940
| Name | Took Office | Left Office | Party | |
| 6 | Kaarel Eenpalu 5 | 9 May 1938 | 12 October 1939 | Non-party |
| 7 | Jüri Uluots | 12 October 1939 | 21 June 1940 | National Association |
| 8 | Johannes Vares | 21 June 1940 | 25 August 1940 | Estonian Communist Party |
[edit] 1991 to present
| Name | Took Office | Left Office | Party | |
| Edgar Savisaar (acting) | August 20 1991 | January 29 1992 | Popular Front of Estonia | |
| Tiit Vähi (acting) | January 29 1992 | October 21 1992 | (none) | |
| 9 | Mart Laar | October 21 1992 | November 8 1994 | Pro Patria Union |
| 10 | Andres Tarand | November 8 1994 | April 17 1995 | (none) |
| 11 | Tiit Vähi (2nd time) | April 17 1995 | March 17 1997 | Estonian Coalition Party |
| 12 | Mart Siimann | March 17 1997 | March 25 1999 | Estonian Coalition Party |
| Mart Laar (2nd time) | March 25 1999 | January 28 2002 | Pro Patria Union | |
| 13 | Siim Kallas | January 28 2002 | April 10 2003 | Estonian Reform Party |
| 14 | Juhan Parts | April 10 2003 | April 12 2005 | Res Publica |
| 15 | Andrus Ansip | April 12 2005 | Estonian Reform Party |
[edit] Footnotes
- Note 1: Päts was imprisoned until 20 November 1918, from the time he was appointed to the post of Prime Minister till the time he was released, Jaan Poska assumed the duties of Prime Minister of his behalf.
- Note 2: Though appointed, Birk never assumed the office.
- Note 3: Was acting Prime Minister from July 29 to July 30 1920.
- Note 4: State's Elder since December.
- Note 5: Was acting Prime Minister from time of appointment till 9 May 1938.
[edit] External link
et:Eesti peaminister id:Perdana Menteri Estonia it:Primi Ministri dell'Estonia ka:ესტონეთის პრემიერ-მინისტრი pl:Premierzy Estonii
