General information
I have been a member of the Riigikogu since 1999, and during that time I have seen changes both in the style of work and also in mentality. With the members of the Riigikogu representing the Free Party, we want to make politics more open, more understandable to the voter and more responsible. We want to stand for the politics that first of all takes into account national and common interests, and not the benefit of a political party in its worst sense.
Electoral district:
Seniority in days:
7318
Date of birth:
14.08.1962
Place of birth:
in Tallinn
Family:
Married, one son
Education:
Saku Gymnasium 1980;
University of Tartu, psychology (cum laude) 1985, M.A. in history 1997
University of Tartu, psychology (cum laude) 1985, M.A. in history 1997
Career:
Institute of Pedagogical Research, researcher 1985–1989;
cultural journal Vikerkaar, editor 1990–1991;
newspaper Eesti Elu, Editor-in-Chief 1991–1992;
Estonian Institute of Humanities, lecturer 1992–1993;
Chancellery of the Riigikogu, adviser 1993–1999
cultural journal Vikerkaar, editor 1990–1991;
newspaper Eesti Elu, Editor-in-Chief 1991–1992;
Estonian Institute of Humanities, lecturer 1992–1993;
Chancellery of the Riigikogu, adviser 1993–1999
Party affiliation:
National Coalition Party Isamaa (Pro Patria)/Pro Patria Union/Pro Patria and Res Publica Union 1994–2013;
Estonian Free Party 2014–, founding member, Chairman
Estonian Free Party 2014–, founding member, Chairman
Membership in representative bodies:
9th Riigikogu (Deputy Chairman of faction), 10th Riigikogu (Deputy Chairman of faction 2003–2004, Chairman of faction 2004–2007), 11th Riigikogu (Deputy Chairman of faction), 12th Riigikogu, 13th Riigikogu (Chairman of faction 2015–2017, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Select Committee 2017–)
Awards:
Order of the White Star, 4th class 2005;
Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold II of the Kingdom of Belgium 2008;
Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland 2009;
Commander of the National Order of Merit of France 2011
Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold II of the Kingdom of Belgium 2008;
Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland 2009;
Commander of the National Order of Merit of France 2011
Other activities:
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Vice-President 2009–2011, Chairman of Monitoring Committee 2013–2015;
Estonian Oriental Society 1989–;
Estonian Public Broadcasting Council 1994–2000 and 2007–2011;
University of Tartu, Member of the Advisory Board 2004–2008;
MTÜ Vaba Isamaaline Kodanik (NGO Free Patriotic Citizen), Chairman 2013–2014;
North Tallinn Administrative Council 1996–2002, 2005–2007 and 2009–2013;
books “Ajalugu on rikas” (“History Is Rich”) 1997, “Müüt ja mõtlemine” (“Myth and Thought”) 2002, “Vene mõistatus” (“Russian Puzzle”) 2007, “Kuuba südames” (“Heart of Cuba”;
co-author) 2008, “Aserbaidžaani kirjad” (“Letters from Azerbaijan”) 2010, “Laama ja Linnart. Tiibet ja Eesti” 2012 (“Lama and Linnart. Tibet and Estonia”, co-author), "Idealistid: Vabaerakonna lugu" (Idealists: The Story of the Free Party) 2018;
poetry in literary magazine Looming 2010–2013, numerous articles and other works in the Estonian and international press
Estonian Oriental Society 1989–;
Estonian Public Broadcasting Council 1994–2000 and 2007–2011;
University of Tartu, Member of the Advisory Board 2004–2008;
MTÜ Vaba Isamaaline Kodanik (NGO Free Patriotic Citizen), Chairman 2013–2014;
North Tallinn Administrative Council 1996–2002, 2005–2007 and 2009–2013;
books “Ajalugu on rikas” (“History Is Rich”) 1997, “Müüt ja mõtlemine” (“Myth and Thought”) 2002, “Vene mõistatus” (“Russian Puzzle”) 2007, “Kuuba südames” (“Heart of Cuba”;
co-author) 2008, “Aserbaidžaani kirjad” (“Letters from Azerbaijan”) 2010, “Laama ja Linnart. Tiibet ja Eesti” 2012 (“Lama and Linnart. Tibet and Estonia”, co-author), "Idealistid: Vabaerakonna lugu" (Idealists: The Story of the Free Party) 2018;
poetry in literary magazine Looming 2010–2013, numerous articles and other works in the Estonian and international press