Date and place of birth: 22 April 1960, Viljandi, Estonia
Marital status: Married, a son and a daughter
Education: University of Tartu PhD 2005; University of Tartu, MA in philosophy 1995; Tartu State University, history 1983;  Tallinn Secondary School No. 46 1978
Career: 10h and 11th Riigikogu 2003–; 9th Riigikogu 1999, 2002-2003; Republic of Estonia Prime Minister 1999–2000, 1992–1994; 8th Riigikogu 1995–1999; 7th Riigikogu 1992; Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia 1990–1992; Department for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Culture, head 1986–1990; Tallinn Secondary School No. 24, teacher 1983–1986
Party affiliation: Isamaaliit  1995–
Membership in representative bodies: 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th Riigikogu; Tallinn City Council 1996–1999; Congress of Estonia; Commitee of Estonia; the Constitutional Assembly 1991–1992; Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia 1990 - 1992
Social activities: member of the Estonian Heritage Society and PEN Club since 1987; Estonian Students Society 1988; Tallinn University of Technology, Board of Trustees; Supervisory Board of the Estonian Development Fund
Creative activities: Kodu lugu I-II (Country Study) (co-author) 1989; 14. juuni 1941 (June 14, 1941) 1990; War in the Woods: Estonia’s Struggle for Survival 1944–1956 1992; The Challenge for Europe 1994; Raamat Jakob Hurdast (Book about Jakob Hurt) 1995; Teine Eesti: Eesti iseseisvuse taassünd 1986–1991 (Second Estonia: Rebirth of Estonian Independence 1986–1991) (co-author) 1996; Eesti ajalugu elulugudes: 101 tähtsat eestlast (History of Estonia in Biographies: 101 Important Estonians) (co-author) 1997; Isamaa ilu hoieldes (Protecting the Beauty of the Fatherland) 1997; Eesti Vabadussõda ja Suurbritannia 1918–1920 (Estonian War of Independence and Great Britain 1918–1920) 1998; Back to the Future: 10 Years of Freedom in Central Europe 2001; Das estnische Wirtschaftswunder 2002; Estonia: Little Country that Could 2002; Eesti uus algus (Estonia’s New Beginning) 2002; Äratajad (Awakening) (doctoral thesis) 2005; Emajõgi 1944 2005; Sinimäed 1944 2005; four short pieces on Estonian history 2005; September 1944: Otto Tiefi valitsus (September 1944: Otto Tief’s Government) 2007 etc.; books have been translated into other languages; author and co-author of several school textbooks on history; numerous articles in the Estonian and foreign press
Awards: Acton Institute’s Faith & Freedom Award 2007; Milton Friedman Award 2006; Estonian Defence Forces Meritorious Service Cross 2005; Polak Award 2003; Adam Smith Award 2002; Order of the National Coat of Arms, 2nd class 2001; Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany 2001; Companion of Honour of the National Order of Merit of the Republic of Malta 2001; Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit of France 2001; Grand Cross of St. Maurice and St. Lazare 2001; Armed Resistance Cross of Merit, 2nd class 1999; Cross of Merit of the Estonian Defence League 1999; Memorial Medal ‘10 Years of the Re-established Defence Forces’. St Andreas Cross 1999; Estonian Defence Forces Distinguished Service Decoration 1998; World’s Best Young Politician 1993
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