General information
There are two kinds of people in politics: those who are in politics to get something done, and those who do something to get into politics. For me, the most important thing is to have the opportunity to get something done but I would not hasten to judge those who see politics as their profession. Personally speaking, I simply find the process more interesting than my own part in it.
Electoral district:
Seniority in days:
8433
Date of birth:
05.09.1953
Place of birth:
in Tallinn
Family:
Married, two sons
Education:
Gustav Adolf Gymnasium (former Tallinn Secondary School No. 1) 1971;
Tallinn University of Technology, motor cars and motor-transport enterprises 1976 (equivalent to Master’s degree)
Tallinn University of Technology, motor cars and motor-transport enterprises 1976 (equivalent to Master’s degree)
Career:
Keila Motor Depot, Head of Division 1976–1982;
Motor Transport and Road Workers’ Trade Union, Chief Inspector of Occupational Health and Safety 1982–1989;
Estonian Transport and Road Workers’ Trade Union, Deputy Chairman, Chairman 1989–1992;
Minister of Regional Affairs 1994–1995;
Minister of Social Affairs 1999–2002
Motor Transport and Road Workers’ Trade Union, Chief Inspector of Occupational Health and Safety 1982–1989;
Estonian Transport and Road Workers’ Trade Union, Deputy Chairman, Chairman 1989–1992;
Minister of Regional Affairs 1994–1995;
Minister of Social Affairs 1999–2002
Party affiliation:
Estonian Social Democratic Party/Moderates/People’s Party Moderates/Social Democratic Party 1994–, Member of the Board
Membership in representative bodies:
7th Riigikogu (Deputy Chairman of faction 1993–1994), 8th Riigikogu, 9th Riigikogu (Deputy Chairman of faction 2002–2003), 10th Riigikogu (Deputy Chairman of faction, Deputy Chairman of the Select Committee on the Application of Anti-Corruption Act), 11th Riigikogu (Chairman of faction), 12th Riigikogu (President 2014–2015, Deputy Chairman of faction 2011–2014), 13th Riigikogu (President);
Tallinn City Council 1996–1999, elected also in 2005, 2009 and 2017
Tallinn City Council 1996–1999, elected also in 2005, 2009 and 2017
Awards:
Order of the National Coat of Arms, 5th class 2001, Order of Merit of the National Coat of Arms 2nd class, 2018;
Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland 2016
Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland 2016
Other activities:
Estonian Transport and Road Workers’ Trade Union, Chairman of the Council 1997–;
articles in the Estonian press
articles in the Estonian press
Hobbies:
sports, music