Edgar Savisaar
| Edgar Savisaar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Prime Minister of Estonia | |
| In office 20 August 1991 – 29 January 1992 | |
| President | Arnold Rüütel |
| Preceded by | Otto Tief |
| Succeeded by | Tiit Vähi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 31 May 1950 Harku, Estonia |
| Political party | Communist Party (1983–1988) Popular Front (1988–1991) Centre Party (1991–) |
| Spouse(s) | Vilja Laanaru (1996–2009) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | University of Tartu |
Edgar Savisaar (born 31 May 1950 in Harku, Harju County), is an Estonian politician, one of the founding members of Popular Front of Estonia and the leader of the Centre Party. He has served as the acting Prime Minister of Estonia, Minister of the Interior and Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications. Currently he is the mayor of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
Education
After graduating from high school, Savisaar continued his studies at the University of Tartu. In 1973, he graduated from the university with a degree in history. In 1980, he wrote his candidate thesis in philosophy on the topic "Social Philosophical Foundations of the Global Models of the Club of Rome".[1]
Career
From 1980 to 1988, Savisaar worked in governmental institutions dealing with the planning of economy. During 1988–1989, he was the academic director for the consultation company "Mainor".
In April he co-established the Popular Front (Rahvarinne) which became the first political mass organization in Soviet Union outside Communist Party after 1920. Initially formed to "support perestroika" Popular Front started increasingly develop ideas of Estonina national independence and created so called Singing Revolution phenomenon. The process with several others lead to dissolution of Soviet Union ultimately.
In 1989, he became the Vice-Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Estonian SSR and the Head of the State Plan Committee. In 1990, he was the Minister of Economic Affairs. On 3 April 1990, he was appointed the Chairman of the Council of Ministers. When Estonia declared its independence on 20 August 1991, he became the first Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia. His government was in office until 29 January 1992, when he was resigned after supplement problems and a continuing decline in economy.
From 1992 until 1995, Savisaar was the Vice-Speaker of the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu). From 17 April – 6 November 1995, he was the Minister for Internal Affairs. When he was accused of recording private conversations of other politicians, the entire government faltered. Although his participation in the recordings was never proved, he announced his intention to leave politics. However, in 1996, he participated in the elections of the Riigikogu and became the Chairman of the Tallinn City Council. His return to the Centre Party leader's post evoked a split, as some leading members disillusioned with Savisaar's leadership style left to found Arengupartei. From 2001 to 14 October 2004, he was mayor of Tallinn. On 11 April 2005, he became Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications in the new coalition of Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and worked in the post until March 2007. From 2007 he has been mayor of Tallinn, the capital of Estonia.
Edgar Savisaar and Estonia People's Union leader Villu Reiljan jointly supported Arnold Rüütel's candidature for presidency in August–September 2006; Toomas Hendrik Ilves was elected though, a choice criticised by Savisaar and attributed by him[2] to alleged hostile media and partisan lawmakers. Savisaar refused to congratulate the winner.[3]
Savisaar has published four books. He has received the Order of the National Coat of Arms 2nd Class in 2001[4] and 1st Class in 2006[5] from Estonia and the Order of the Three Stars 2nd Class in 2005 from Latvia.[6]
Controversy
Savisaar is one of the most controversial politicians in Estonia. Although being the most active and effective political leader in Estonian history from late 1980s, his career has been filled with conflicts and misunderstandings all the way.
Even in 1988 he was heavily criticized by younger politicians being in too soft positions towards Soviet Union occupation (which wasn`t actually true) and acting too populist way or manipulating with people. Older specialists and leaders of Estonian SSR used to condemn his arrogant manners. Also his legendary conflicts with journalists and mass media started as early as 1988.
While some people, including many from the Russian-speaking minority, see him as a defender of poor, his political opponents accuse him of authoritarianism, nepotism, corruption, destructive intrigues, and having close ties with Russian politicians. The latter accusation has been fuelled by the Centre Party's collaboration agreement with Putin's United Russia party, particularly since the agreement's content has not been made public. Savisaar is often associated with using Machiavellian politics and deals to achieve his goals, such as taping other politicians, which caused the so-called tape scandal in 1995; and while being the mayor of the Estonian capital Tallinn, real-estate deals that were good for the members of the Centre Party, but were bad for the town.[7]
Bronze Soldier
During the events surrounding the Bronze Soldier, Edgar Savisaar spoke out against the removal of the monument and accused Andrus Ansip of deliberate attempts of splitting the Estonian society by provoking the Russian minority.[8] In response to this many government officials and public figures have stated distrust and disrespect towards him.[9][10][11] In an online opinion poll conducted by a local newspaper Postimees, 87.4% of participants out of 10,000 found Savisaar to be inciting conflicts, whereas only 3.9% approved of his behavior.[12]
In relation to his reactions to the Bronze Soldier controversy, the Estonian Patriotic Movement created on 29 April 2007 an online petition website www.mahasavisaar.com to suggest resignation of Savisaar's position as the Mayor of Tallinn.[13][14] It ended on the 9 May 2007 and had collected 98,200 e-mail addresses (not signatures, although organizers of petition claimed so). In 2009 being a candidate for EP elections collected a 103506 votes in closed list system.
Personal life
Edgar Savisaar has been married three times and is the father of four children.[1] From marriage to Kaire Savisaar he has a son Erki, from marriage to Liis Savisaar a daughter Maria and a son Edgar. The last marriage was to Vilja Savisaar, who is also an Estonian politician. They had a daughter Rosina. The couple announced their separation in December 2009.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Edgar Savisaar". biography. web site of The Government of the Republic of Estonia. Retrieved 14 February 2007.
- ↑ video of Savisaar's reaction to the results: http://www.postimees.ee/240906/esileht/siseuudised/presidendivalimised_2006/219571.php?r
- ↑ Postimees: Edgar Savisaar seab kahtluse alla riigikohtu erapooletuse. Postimees.ee. Retrieved on 4 August 2011.
- ↑ "Bearers of decorations". president.ee. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ "Bearers of decorations". president.ee. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ "Ar Triju Zvaigžņu ordeni apbalvoto personu reģistrs apbalvošanas secībā, sākot no 2004. gada 1.oktobra" (DOC). president.lv (in Latvian). p. 14. Retrieved 2 January 2014.
- ↑ Savisaar's and Kruuda's mutual gifts. Delfi.ee. Retrieved on 4 August 2011.
- ↑ Lõhestaja number üks Postimees
- ↑ Paet: Savisaar ei aita kaasa rahu tagamisele linnas. Postimees.ee. Retrieved on 4 August 2011.
- ↑ Peeter Oja: Savisaar on silmakirjalik ja valelik. Postimees.ee. Retrieved on 4 August 2011.
- ↑ "Rein Kilk: Savisaare loidus üllatas" (in Estonian). Delfi. 30 April 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2007.
- ↑ "Lugejad: Savisaar lõhestab ühiskonda" (in Estonian). Postimees. 30 April 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2007.
- ↑ Savisaare vastaste lõplik arv - 96678 rahvuslikliikumine.ee
- ↑ "Savisaare vastu antud tuhandeid allkirju" (in Estonian). Delfi. 30 April 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2007.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Edgar Savisaar. |
- CityMayors profile
- 16. December 2010, err.ee, Tallinn Mayor an 'Agent of Russian Influence,' Alleges Leaked Intelligence
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Indrek Toome |
Chairman of Council of Ministers of Estonian SSR 1990–1991 |
Succeeded by Estonia became independent, office renamed to Prime Minister of Estonia |
| Preceded by Otto Tief (shortly in 1944), Soviet Occupation |
Prime Minister of Estonia 1991–1992 |
Succeeded by Tiit Vähi |
| Preceded by Kaido Kama |
Minister of Interior 1995 |
Succeeded by Märt Rask |
| Preceded by Andrus Ansip |
Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications 2005–2007 |
Succeeded by Juhan Parts |
| Preceded by Tõnis Palts |
Mayor of Tallinn 2001–2004 |
Succeeded by Tõnis Palts |
| Preceded by Jüri Ratas |
Mayor of Tallinn 2007–present |
Incumbent |
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