Kristen Michal

Kristen Michal
Michal in 2024
Prime Minister of Estonia
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 July 2024
PresidentAlar Karis
Preceded byKaja Kallas
Leader of the Estonian Reform Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
8 September 2024
Preceded byKaja Kallas
Minister of Climate
In office
17 April 2023 – 23 July 2024
Prime MinisterKaja Kallas
Preceded byMadis Kallas
Succeeded byYoko Alender
Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure
In office
9 April 2015 – 23 November 2016
Prime MinisterTaavi Rõivas
Preceded byUrve Palo
Succeeded byKadri Simson
Minister of Justice
In office
6 April 2011 – 10 December 2012
Prime MinisterAndrus Ansip
Preceded byRein Lang
Succeeded byHanno Pevkur
Member of the Riigikogu
In office
12 May 2004 – 17 April 2023
Personal details
Born (1975-07-12) 12 July 1975
Tallinn, Estonia
PartyReform (since 1996)
SpouseEvelin Oras
Children3
Alma materUniversity Nord

Kristen Michal (Estonian: [ˈkristen ˈmihːɑl]; born 12 July 1975) is the prime minister of Estonia, having taken office on 23 July 2024. He previously served as minister of justice from 2011 to 2012, minister of economic affairs and infrastructure from 2015 to 2016,[1] and minister of climate from 2023 to 2024.[2][3]

Early life and education

Michal was born in Tallinn on 12 July 1975.[4] He studied law at University Nord in Tallinn and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2009. He has been pursuing master's degree in law at Tallinn University since 2009.[4]

Political career

As member of the Estonian Reform Party, Michal worked in 1996–2002 as an advisor to the party at different levels. In 2002, he became an advisor to then prime minister Siim Kallas. Michal served as the elder of the administrative district of Kesklinn, Tallinn in 2002–2003.[4] In 2003, he was appointed secretary general of the Reform Party and held this position until 2011. Michal was elected member of parliament (Riigikogu) in 2005–2011 and 2012–2015.[4]

He was appointed Minister of Justice on 6 April 2011,[5] replacing another Reform Party member Rein Lang.

In May 2012, Michal was at the centre of accusations by Silver Meikar, a Reform Party member and a former member of the Riigikogu, that the Reform Party has been receiving donations from dubious sources for years.[6] Both Michal and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip denied these allegations. Delegates from the Council of Europe's GRECO anti-corruption watchdog visited the country in June 2012 to investigate the accusations.[6] On 31 July 2012, the Estonian State Prosecutor's Office announced that Michal and Kalev Lillo, another Reform Party member, were suspects in this case and that both had been interrogated.[7] Michal was investigated on accusations of money laundering and illegal party financing.[8][9] On 10 September 2012, the first day of parliamentary session, the Social Democratic Party's faction started a petition process for the resignation of Michal through a vote of no confidence.[10] However, petition failed on 19 September 2012 when the party gave up the process.[11] Michal announced that if he would be found guilty, he would resign from his post.[10] The Estonian State Prosecutor's Office closed the case on 15 October 2012 without finding evidence of wrongdoing.[12]

Michal's term as Minister of Justice ended on 10 December 2012, when he resigned from office.[13] He was replaced in that office by Hanno Pevkur.[14] From 9 April 2015 to 23 November 2016, Michal served as the minister of economic affairs and infrastructure.

Prime Minister of Estonia (2024-present)

On 29 June 2024, Michal was nominated by the Estonian Reform Party to replace Kaja Kallas in the office of Prime Minister of Estonia, after Kallas had been appointed EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.[15] Kristen Michal's cabinet took office on 23 July 2024, after the 14 ministers were sworn in before the Riigikogu.[16]

Personal life

Michal and his partner Evelin Oras, a political advisor, have been together since the mid-2000s. They have three children.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Kristen Michal". Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Reformierakond avalikustas oma valitsusdelegatsiooni". Eesti Rahvusringhääling (in Estonian). 8 April 2023. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Riigikogu gives Kaja Kallas mandate to form new government". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 12 April 2023. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "Kristan Michal". Justice Ministry. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  5. ^ "New Government assumes office". Government Communication Unit. 6 April 2011. Archived from the original on 7 June 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  6. ^ a b "European anti-corruption watchdog eyes Estonia". Tallinn: EU Business. 31 May 2012. Archived from the original on 5 June 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  7. ^ Tere, Juhan (31 July 2012). "Estonian Prosecutor's Office declares Michal and Lillo suspects". Tallinn: The Baltic Course. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  8. ^ "Estonian Justice Minister in Money Laundering Investigation". Tallinn: assist america. 31 July 2012. Archived from the original on 20 July 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  9. ^ "Justice minister in probe" (PDF). Arab Times Online. 1 August 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  10. ^ a b "Social Democrats Pursue Vote of No Confidence in Minister". ERR News. 10 September 2012. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  11. ^ "Petition for Vote of No Confidence Against Justice Minister Fails". ERR. 19 September 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  12. ^ Tere, Juhan (15 October 2012). "Estonian State Prosecutor's Office closes Reform Party criminal case". The Baltic Course. Tallinn. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  13. ^ "Kristen Michal resigns as Minister of Justice". Baltic Business. 7 December 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  14. ^ "Estonia Reshuffles Government After Graft Scandal". IPOT News. 11 December 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  15. ^ "Estonia's ruling party taps climate minister for the Baltic country's top job". Associated Press. 29 June 2024. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  16. ^ "Estonia's new government sworn in". ERR. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Tegus ministeeriumi nõuniku karjäär ja kokkuhoidev perekond. Kes on tulevase peaministri Kristen Michali elukaaslane Evelin Oras?" (in Estonian). Kroonika. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
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