Prime Minister 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 nominated by the President after appropriate consultations with the parliamentary factions and conferred by the Parliament. In case of disagreement, the Parliament can reject the President's nomination and choose their own candidate. The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the largest party in the ruling coalition. The current Prime Minister is Andrus Ansip, leader of the Reform Party.

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.

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, the head of government was called the State Elder (riigivanem), who was also head of state. This system was a radically parliamentary system because the State Elder could be dismissed by the Parliament with a simple majority. Moreover, the State Elder was not the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, nor could he ratify laws or dissolve Parliament. The dissolution of Parliament was only possible through a referendum (see, for example, Seppo Zetterberg, "A History of Estonia" / Viron historia. 3rd edition. Helsinki: The Finnish Literary Society / Suomalaisen Kirjallisuuden Seura, 2007, pages 524-525). 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 presidential system. Under this constitution, the President could appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister and Cabinet, veto laws, give decrees (statutes) and dissolve Parliament (see Zetterberg 2007, pages 558-559). 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 "President-Regent", until 1938, when elections were held under a new constitution and he was elected President.

Prime ministers

1918 to 1920

#	Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party	Coalition
1	Konstantin Päts 1	24 February 1918	26 November 1918	Union of Rural People	Non-party big coalition
		26 November 1918	8 May 1919	Union of Rural People	Non-party big coalition
2	Otto August Strandman	8 May 1919	18 November 1919	Estonian Labor Party	ESDTP+TE+RE
3	Jaan Tõnisson	18 November 1919	28 July 1920	Estonian People's Party	ESDTP+TE+RE
4	Ado Birk 2	28 July 1920	30 July 1920	Estonian People's Party	TE+RE+KRE
(3)	Jaan Tõnisson (2nd time) 3	30 July 1920	26 October 1920	Estonian People's Party	RE
5	Ants Piip4	26 October 1920	25 January 1921	Estonian Labor Party	TE

The first two governments were Country Councils (Maapäeva or Maanõukogu valitsused); the next five were appointed by the directly-elected Constituent Assembly (Asutav Kogu).

1920 to 1934

The head of government was called the "State Elder" (Riigivanem). He was the head of the cabinet and was elected by parliament as well as depending on it. Thus he was closer to a PM, although he had some responsibilities of a president as well. A specific president did not exist; presidential functions were shared between the State Elder and the speaker of the parliament. A government could be, as in 1919-1920, and sometimes was, put into office by a simple majority vote with even less than an absolute majority, and could be removed in the same way.

#	Name	Took office	Left office	Party	Coalition
1	Konstantin Päts	25 January 1921	21 November 1922	Farmers Unions	TE+PK+RE+KRE
2	Juhan Kukk	21 November 1922	2 August 1923	Estonian Labor Party	TE+PK (+RE)
3	Konstantin Päts	2 August 1923	26 March 1924	Farmers Unions	PK+TE+RE+KRE
4	Friedrich Karl Akel	26 March 1924	16 December 1924	Christian People's Party	TE+RE+KRE
5	Jüri Jaakson	16 December 1924	15 December 1925	Estonian Peoples Party	PK+ESDTP+TE+RE+KRE
6	Jaan Teemant	15 December 1925	23 July 1926	Farmers Unions	PK+TE+KRE+AS+RVP
7	Jaan Teemant	23 July 1926	4 March 1927	Farmers Unions	PK+AS+RE+KRE+MAJA
8	Jaan Teemant	4 March 1927	9 December 1927	Farmers Unions	PK+AS+RE+KRE+MAJA
9	Jaan Tõnisson	9 December 1927	4 December 1928	Estonian Peoples Party	PK+AS+TE+RE
10	August Rei	4 December 1928	9 July 1929	Estonian Socialist Workers Party	ESTP+AS+TE+KRE
11	Otto August Strandman	9 July 1929	12 February 1931	Estonian Labor Party	PK+AS+TE+RE+KRE
12	Konstantin Päts	12 February 1931	19 February 1932	Farmers Unions	ESTP+PK+RE+MAJA
13	Jaan Teemant	19 February 1932	19 July 1932	Farmers Unions	PK+AS+TE+RE
14	Karl August Einbund	19 July 1932	1 November 1932	United Peasants Party	ÜPE+RKE
15	Konstantin Päts	1 November 1932	18 May 1933	United Peasants Party	Non-party
16	Jaan Tõnisson	18 May 1933	21 October 1933	National Centre Party	RKE+AS (+ PK internal opposition)
17	Konstantin Päts	21 October 1933	24 January 1934	United Peasants Party	Non-party

Legend

PK - Farmers Unions (Põllumeeste Kogud)
TE - Estonian Labor Party (Eesti Tööerakond)
RE - Estonian Peoples Party (Eesti Rahvaerakond)
ESDTP - Estonian Social Democratic Workers Party /Eesti Sotsiaaldemokraatiline Partei; since 1925 ESTP - Estonian Socialist Workers Party (eesti Sotsialistlik Tööliste Partei
AS - Settlers party (Asunikud ...)
KRE Christian Peoples Party (Kristlik Rahvaerakond)
RVP - National Liberal Party (Rahvuslik Vabameelne Partei)
MAJA - Union of the Real Estate Owners Societies (Üleriiklik Majaomanike Seltside Liit)
ÜPE - United Peasants Party (Ühinenud Põllumeeste erakond), former and later PK+AS
RKE - National Centre Party (Rahvuslik Keskerakond), former RE+TE+KRE+MAJA

Governments of:
1-2 - I Riigikogu
3-6 - II Riigikogu
7-10 - III Riigikogu
11-13 - IV Riigikogu
14-17 - V Riigikogu

1934 to 1937

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

1938 to 1944

#	Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party
6	Kaarel Eenpalu 5	9 May 1938 (acting since 21 April 1938)	12 October 1939	Non-party
7	Jüri Uluots	12 October 1939	21 June 1940	Non-party
8	Johannes Vares 6	21 June 1940	25 August 1940	Estonian Communist Party
	Otto Tief (acting)	18 September 1944	12 January 1953	Non-party

1991 to present

#	Name	Took Office	Left Office	Party	Coalition
	Edgar Savisaar (acting)	20 August 1991	29 January 1992	Popular Front of Estonia
	Tiit Vähi (acting)	29 January 1992	21 October 1992	(none)
9	Mart Laar	21 October 1992	8 November 1994	Pro Patria Union	Pro Patria, ERSP, Moderates
10	Andres Tarand	8 November 1994	17 April 1995	(none)	Pro Patria, ERSP, Moderates
11	Tiit Vähi (2nd time)	17 April 1995	6 November 1995	Estonian Coalition Party	Coalition Party & Country People's Party, Centre
(11)	Tiit Vähi (3rd time)	6 November 1995	17 March 1997	Estonian Coalition Party	Coalition Party & Country People's Party, Reform (left coalition in November 1996)
12	Mart Siimann	17 March 1997	25 March 1999	Estonian Coalition Party	Coalition Party & Country People's Party
(9)	Mart Laar (2nd time)	25 March 1999	28 January 2002	Pro Patria Union	Pro Patria, Reform, Moderates
13	Siim Kallas	28 January 2002	10 April 2003	Estonian Reform Party	Reform, Centre
14	Juhan Parts	10 April 2003	12 April 2005	Res Publica	Res Publica, Reform, People's Union
15	Andrus Ansip	12 April 2005	5 April 2007	Estonian Reform Party	Reform, Centre, People's Union
(15)	Andrus Ansip (2nd time)	5 April 2007	4 April 2011	Estonian Reform Party	Reform, IRL, SDE (left coalition 21 May 2009)
(15)	Andrus Ansip (3rd time)	5 April 2011		Estonian Reform Party	Reform, IRL

Footnotes

• ^1 Päts was imprisoned until 20 November 1918. From the time he was appointed to the post of Prime Minister until he was released, Jaan Poska assumed the duties of Prime Minister of his behalf.
• ^2 Though appointed, Birk never assumed office.
• ^3 Was acting Prime Minister from 29 July to 30 July 1920.
• ^4 State Elder since December.
• ^5 Was acting Prime Minister from 21 April 1938 to 9 May 1938.
• ^6 Appointment declared illegal by the Estonian Electoral College convened on 20 April 1944.

External links

• Website of the Prime Minister of Estonia