General information
As a citizen of Estonia, I wish the public authorities to act economically and the maintenance of the Estonian state to be feasible for us. As a native of Viljandi and a farmer of Mulgimaa, I know the concerns and delights of both city and rural life, and therefore I attach importance to a regional policy that would balance the Tallinn-centered development. As a former minister, the development of rural life and agriculture are also close to my heart. At the same time we have to understand that Estonia is part of Europe, and our national interests have to be protected in a dignified manner also in Brussels.
Parliamentary group:
Committee:
Delegation:
Electoral district:
E-mail:
Phone:
+372 631 6557
Seniority in days:
6026
Date of birth:
07.09.1964
Place of birth:
Viljandi
Family:
Married, four children
Education:
Viljandi Secondary School No. 5 in 1979;
Technical School of Yuri Gagarin Model State Farm 1983;
Estonian University of Life Sciences, economics and management of agriculture (equivalent to Master’s degree) 1990
Technical School of Yuri Gagarin Model State Farm 1983;
Estonian University of Life Sciences, economics and management of agriculture (equivalent to Master’s degree) 1990
Career:
Vana-Võidu Technical School, teacher 1990–1991;
Viljandi City Government, Economic Adviser 1991–1992;
Deputy Mayor of Viljandi 1992, Mayor of Viljandi 1992–1993;
Viljandi County Governor 1993–2003;
Minister of Agriculture 2007–2014
Viljandi City Government, Economic Adviser 1991–1992;
Deputy Mayor of Viljandi 1992, Mayor of Viljandi 1992–1993;
Viljandi County Governor 1993–2003;
Minister of Agriculture 2007–2014
Party affiliation:
Coalition Party of Republicans / National Coalition Party Isamaa (Pro Patria) / Pro Patria Union / Pro Patria and Res Publica Union / Isamaa 1991–
Membership in representative bodies:
10th Riigikogu (Deputy Chair of Parliamentary Group, Chair of State Budget Control Select Committee 2005–2007, Deputy Chair of Committee of Investigation into the Depletion of the State Grain Reserve), 11th and 12th Riigikogu, 13th Riigikogu (Vice-President 2015–2016, Chair of Rural Affairs Committee 2016–2017, Chair of Parliamentary Group 2017–2019), 14th Riigikogu (Vice-President 2019–2021, 2022–2023, Chair of Parliamentary Group 2021–2022), 15th Riigikogu (Chair of Parliamentary Group);
Viljandi City Council 2017– (Chair 2017–2021, 2025– ), also elected 1993, 2005, 2013
Viljandi City Council 2017– (Chair 2017–2021, 2025– ), also elected 1993, 2005, 2013
Awards:
Order of the White Star, 3rd Class 2001;
Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland 2002;
Medal of the Baltic Assembly 2007
Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland 2002;
Medal of the Baltic Assembly 2007
Other activities:
NGO Viha ja Viisnurk, Manager 1998–;
Villem Reiman Heritage College 2002–;
Viljandi Educational Development Fund Foundation, founding member 2013;
Estonian Defence League, Central Management 2010–2014, Member of Board of Elders 2017–2020, Sakala District Management, Assistant to Chief 1994–;
Estonian Sports Association Jõud, President 2011–;
Estonian Olympic Committee, Executive Board 2012–2024;
Estonian Handball Association, Member of Board 2014–, Vice-President 2018–2022
Villem Reiman Heritage College 2002–;
Viljandi Educational Development Fund Foundation, founding member 2013;
Estonian Defence League, Central Management 2010–2014, Member of Board of Elders 2017–2020, Sakala District Management, Assistant to Chief 1994–;
Estonian Sports Association Jõud, President 2011–;
Estonian Olympic Committee, Executive Board 2012–2024;
Estonian Handball Association, Member of Board 2014–, Vice-President 2018–2022