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Kristen Michal

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Kristen Michal
Michal in 2024
20th Prime Minister of Estonia
Incumbent
Assumed office
23 July 2024
PresidentAlar Karis
Preceded byKaja Kallas
Minister of Climate
In office
17 April 2023 – 23 July 2024
Prime MinisterKaja Kallas
Preceded byMadis Kallas
Succeeded byYoko Alender
Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure
In office
9 April 2015 – 23 November 2016
Prime MinisterTaavi Rõivas
Preceded byUrve Palo
Succeeded byKadri Simson
Minister of Justice
In office
6 April 2011 – 10 December 2012
Prime MinisterAndrus Ansip
Preceded byRein Lang
Succeeded byHanno Pevkur
Member of the Riigikogu
In office
12 May 2004 – 17 April 2023
Personal details
Born (1975-07-12) 12 July 1975 (age 49)
Tallinn, Estonia
Political partyEstonian Reform Party (1996–present)
SpouseEvelin Oras
Children3
Alma materAcademy Nord

Kristen Michal (Estonian: [ˈkristen ˈmihːɑl]; born 12 July 1975) is an Estonian politician who has served as prime minister of Estonia since 23 July 2024. A member of the Reform Party, he succeeded Kaja Kallas, who was appointed EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Michal previously served as minister of justice from 2011 to 2012, minister of economic affairs and infrastructure from 2015 to 2016,[1] as well as minister of climate from 2023 to 2024.[2][3][4]

Early life and education

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Michal was born in Tallinn on 12 July 1975.[5] He studied law at Academy Nord and graduated in 2009. He has been pursuing master's study in law at Tallinn University's Law School since 2009.[5]

Political career

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Michal worked as an advisor at different levels for the Reform Party from 1996 to 2002. He became an advisor to then prime minister Siim Kallas in 2002. Michal served as the Elder of the Tallinn City Centre for one year (2002–2003).[5] In 2003, he was named as the secretary general of the Reform Party and held this post until 2011. Michal has been a member of the Riigikogu from 2005 to 2011 and from 2012 to 2015.[5]

He was appointed Minister of Justice on 6 April 2011,[6] replacing another Reform Party member Rein Lang.

In May 2012, Michal was at the centre of accusations by Silver Meikar, a Reform Party member and a former member of the Riigikogu, that the Reform Party has been receiving donations from dubious sources for years.[7] Both Michal and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip denied these allegations. Delegates from the Council of Europe's GRECO anti-corruption watchdog visited the country in June 2012 to investigate the accusations.[7] On 31 July 2012, the Estonian State Prosecutor's Office announced that Michal and Kalev Lillo, another Reform Party member, were suspects in this case and that both had been interrogated.[8] Michal was investigated on accusations of money laundering and illegal party financing.[9][10] On 10 September 2012, the first day of parliamentary session, the Social Democratic Party's faction started a petition process for the resignation of Michal through a vote of no confidence.[11] However, petition failed on 19 September 2012 when the party gave up the process.[12] Michal announced that if he would be found guilty, he would resign from his post.[11] The Estonian State Prosecutor's Office closed the case on 15 October 2012 without finding evidence of wrongdoing.[13]

Michal's term as Minister of Justice ended on 10 December 2012, when he resigned from office.[14] He was replaced in that office by Hanno Pevkur.[15] From 9 April 2015 to 23 November 2016, Michal served as the minister of economic affairs and infrastructure.

On 29 June 2024, Michal was nominated by the Reform Party to replace Kaja Kallas as Prime Minister following the latter's appointment as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union.[16] Kristen Michal's cabinet took office on 23 July 2024, after the 14 ministers were sworn in before the Riigikogu.[17]

Personal life

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Michal and his partner Evelin Oras, a political advisor, have been together since mid 2000s. They have three children.[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Kristen Michal". Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  2. ^ "Reformierakond avalikustas oma valitsusdelegatsiooni". Eesti Rahvusringhääling (in Estonian). 8 April 2023. Archived from the original on 9 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Coalition agreement: VAT, income tax to rise by 2 percent". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 8 April 2023. Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Riigikogu gives Kaja Kallas mandate to form new government". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 12 April 2023. Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d "Kristan Michal". Justice Ministry. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  6. ^ "New Government assumes office". Government Communication Unit. 6 April 2011. Archived from the original on 7 June 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  7. ^ a b "European anti-corruption watchdog eyes Estonia". Tallinn: EU Business. 31 May 2012. Archived from the original on 5 June 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  8. ^ Tere, Juhan (31 July 2012). "Estonian Prosecutor's Office declares Michal and Lillo suspects". Tallinn: The Baltic Course. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  9. ^ "Estonian Justice Minister in Money Laundering Investigation". Tallinn: assist america. 31 July 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  10. ^ "Justice minister in probe" (PDF). Arab Times Online. 1 August 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Social Democrats Pursue Vote of No Confidence in Minister". ERR News. 10 September 2012. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  12. ^ "Petition for Vote of No Confidence Against Justice Minister Fails". ERR. 19 September 2012. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  13. ^ Tere, Juhan (15 October 2012). "Estonian State Prosecutor's Office closes Reform Party criminal case". The Baltic Course. Tallinn. Archived from the original on 23 July 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  14. ^ "Kristen Michal resigns as Minister of Justice". Baltic Business. 7 December 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  15. ^ "Estonia Reshuffles Government After Graft Scandal". IPOT News. 11 December 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  16. ^ "Estonia's ruling party taps climate minister for the Baltic country's top job". Associated Press. 29 June 2024. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
  17. ^ "Estonia's new government sworn in". ERR. 23 July 2024. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Tegus ministeeriumi nõuniku karjäär ja kokkuhoidev perekond. Kes on tulevase peaministri Kristen Michali elukaaslane Evelin Oras?" (in Estonian). Kroonika. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
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Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Justice
2011–2012 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure
2015–2016 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Climate
2023–2024 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Prime Minister of Estonia
2024–present 		Incumbent
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