Margus Tsahkna
 |
Margus Tsahkna | |
|---|---|
 Margus Tsahkna in 2011. | |
| Minister of Defence | |
| Assumed office 23 November 2016 | |
| Prime Minister | Jüri Ratas |
| Preceded by | Hannes Hanso |
| Minister of Social Protection | |
| In office 9 April 2015 – 23 November 2016 | |
| Prime Minister | Taavi Rõivas |
| Preceded by | Helmen Kütt |
| Succeeded by | Kaia Iva |
| Leader of the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica | |
| Assumed office 6 June 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Urmas Reinsalu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 April 1977 Tartu, Estonia |
| Political party | Pro Patria and Res Publica Union |
Margus Tsahkna (born 13 April 1977) is an Estonian politician and an incumbent Minister of Defence in Jüri Ratas' cabinet.[1] Tsahkna is the chirman of the conservative, centre-right party "Pro Patria and Res Publica Union" party.
Tsahkna was born in Tartu, Estonia. After graduating high school in Tartu in 1995, he studied theology and law at the University of Tartu, from 1996 to 2002 and international law at the University of Toronto, from 1999 to 2000.
In 2000, he joined the "Pro Patria" party. From 2001 to 2004 he was chairman of "Noor-Isamaa", the party's youth organisation. From 2001 to 2003 he was a member of Tartu city council. From 2003 to 2006 he was the party's political secretary. After the affiliation of the "Pro Patria" and "Res Publica" parties, to form the "Pro Patria ja Res Publica Liit" party, he was secretary general from 2007 to 2010, and political secretary from 2010 to 2013. In 2013 he became assistant chairman. He has been a member of the Estonian parliament since 2007, the member of the parliaments finance committee and social committee. He has also acted as a chairman of the parliaments social committee from 2011-2014.
In 2000, he founded the Christian Adolescent Home in Tartu.
He is a member of the General Johan Laidoner Society and of the Korp! Sakala student society.
In 2009, he won second place in the Estonian television singing competition Laulud tähtedega ("Singing with Stars"). He sang with Birgit Õigemeel, winner of the Eesti otsib superstaari.
In 2015 parliamentary election, Tsahkna was re-elected to the parliament with 2,267 individual votes.[2] He was chosen the chairman of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union on 6 June 2015.[3]
Tsahkna speaks Estonian, English and Russian. He is married and has two children.
References
- ^ "49th cabinet of Estonia sworn in under Prime Minister Jüri Ratas". 11 November 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016.
- ^ "Riigikogu valimised 2015: Detailne hääletamistulemus". Vabariigi Valimiskomisjon. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
- ^ "Tsahkna named IRL chairman, pledges to unite party". ERR. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2015.