Prime Minister of Estonia

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Template:Politics of Estonia The Prime Minister of Estonia (Estonian: Eesti Vabariigi Peaminister) is the head of government of the Republic of Estonia. The prime minister is chosen by the President and conferred by Parliament. This is usually the leader of the largest party or coalition in the Parliament. The current Prime Minister is Andrus Ansip, who took office on 12 April 2005, representing the coalition of Estonian Reform Party (Eesti Reformierakond), the Estonian Centre Party (Eesti Keskerakond), and the People's Union of Estonia (Eestimaa Rahvaliit).

The activity of the government is directed by the Prime Minister, who is the actual political head of state. He does not head any specific ministry, but is, in accordance with the constitution, the supervisor of the work of the government. The Prime Minister’s significance and role in the government and his relations with other ministries often depend on the position of the party led by the prime minister in vis-à-vis the coalition partners, and on how much influence the prime minister possesses within his own party. If the prime minister has a strong position within his party, and the government is made up solely of representatives of that party, he can enjoy considerable authority. In all crucial national questions, however, the final word rests with Riigikogu as the legislative power.

1 History
2 Prime Ministers
3 External link

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History

Estonia was governed by a Prime Minister during the first two years, 1918-1920, of its independence after the collapse of the Russian Empire.

Under Estonia's 1920 constitution, a Presidential system was adopted with the State Elder of Estonia holding executive powers. Under a new constitution passed by plebiscite in 1933, the position of Prime Minister was recreated as head of government in 1934 in a more parliamentary system. The sitting State Elder, Konstantin Päts, appointed himself to the position of Prime Minister and in this position was then able to suspend elections for Elder of State and for the Estonian Parliament. He remained Prime Minister, declaring himself "State Protector", until 1938, when elections were held under a new constitution and he was elected President.

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Prime Ministers

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1918 to 1920

	Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party
1	Konstantin Päts Template:Fn	24 February 1918	9 May 1919	Union of Rural People
2	Otto Strandman	9 May 1919	18 November 1919	Estonian Labour Party
3	Jaan Tõnisson	18 November 1919	28 July 1920	Estonia People's Party
4	Ado Birk Template:Fn	28 July 1920	30 July 1920	Estonia People's Party
	Jaan Tõnisson (2nd time) Template:Fn	30 July 1920	26 October 1920	Estonia People's Party
5	Ants Piip	26 October 1920	21 December 1920	Estonian Labour Party

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1934 to 1937

	Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party
	Konstantin Päts (2nd Time)	24 January 1934	3 September 1937	Non-party

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1938 to 1940

	Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party
6	Kaarel Eenpalu Template:Fn	9 May 1938	12 October 1939	Non-party
7	Jüri Uluots	12 October 1939	21 June 1940	National Association
8	Johannes Vares	21 June 1940	25 August 1940	Estonian Communist Party

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1991 to present

	Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party
	Edgar Savisaar (acting)	August 20 1991	January 29 1992	Popular Front of Estonia
	Tiit Vähi (acting)	January 29 1992	October 21 1992	(none)
9	Mart Laar	October 21 1992	November 8 1994	Pro Patria Union
10	Andres Tarand	November 8 1994	April 17 1995	(none)
11	Tiit Vähi (2nd time)	April 17 1995	March 17 1997	Estonian Coalition Party
12	Mart Siimann	March 17 1997	March 25 1999	Estonian Coalition Party
	Mart Laar (2nd time)	March 25 1999	January 28 2002	Pro Patria Union
13	Siim Kallas	January 28 2002	April 10 2003	Estonian Reform Party
14	Juhan Parts	April 10 2003	April 12 2005	Res Publica
15	Andrus Ansip	April 12 2005		Estonian Reform Party

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Footnotes

Template:Fnb Päts was imprisoned until 20 November 1918, from the time he was appointed to the post of Prime Minister till the time he was released, Jaan Poska assumed the duties of Prime Minister of his behalf.
Template:Fnb Though appointed, Birk never assumed the office.
Template:Fnb Was acting Prime Minister from July 29 to July 30 1920.
Template:Fnb Was acting Prime Minister from time of appointment till 9 May 1938.