Minister of Defence (Estonia)

Minister of Defence

Incumbent
Hannes Hanso
since 14. September 2015
Ministry of Defence
Style Mister
Appointer Taavi Rõivas
Inaugural holder Märt Rask
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The Minister of Defence (Estonian: Kaitseminister) is the senior minister at the Ministry of Defence (Kaitseministeerium) in the Estonian Government. The Minister is one of the most important members of the Estonian government, with responsibility for coordinating the governments policies on national defence and the military forces.

The Defence Minister is chosen by the Prime Minister as a part of the government. The current Defence Minister is Hannes Hanso.

When the position was originally established in 1918, it was called the Minister of War (Sõjaminister). The post was renamed Minister of Defence on April 1, 1929, but would change back to Minister of War in 1937. Though the name of the position, and subsequently the ministry, was changed the main responsibilities of the position remained virtually unchanged.

Since Estonia regained its independence in 1991 the post has been known as the Minister of Defence.

Building of Estonian Ministry of Defence

List of Ministers

1918 to 1929 (Minister of War)

Name Took Office Left Office Party
1 Andres Larka February 24, 1918 November 27, 1918
2 Konstantin Päts November 27, 1918 May 8, 1919
3 Otto Strandman May 8, 1919 November 18, 1919
4 August Hanko November 18, 1919 July 28, 1920
5 Aleksander Tõnisson July 28, 1920 October 26, 1920
6 Ants Piip October 26, 1920 January 25, 1921
7 Jaan Soots January 25, 1921 August 2, 1923
8 Ado Anderkopp August 2, 1923 February 19, 1924
9 Oskar Amberg March 26, 1924 October 18, 1924
10 Hans Kurvits November 11, 1924 November 26, 1924
Jaan Soots (2nd time) December 16, 1924 March 4, 1927
11 Nikolai Reek March 4, 1927 December 4, 1928
12 Mihkel Juhkam December 4, 1928 March 31, 1929

1929 to 1937 (Minister of Defence)

Name Took Office Left Office Party
Mihkel Juhkam April 1, 1929 July 9, 1929
13 Oskar Köster July 9, 1929 February 12, 1931
14 August Kerem February 12, 1931 November 19, 1932
Aleksander Tõnisson (2nd time) November 1, 1932 May 18, 1933
August Kerem (2nd time) May 18, 1933 October 21, 1933
15 Paul Lill October 21, 1933 February 28, 1937

1937 to 1940 (Minister of War)

Name Took Office Left Office Party
Paul Lill March 1, 1937 October 12, 1939
Nikolai Reek (2nd time) October 12, 1939 1940

1992 to Present (Minister of Defence)

Name Took Office Left Office Party
Uno Veering (acting) 1992 1992
16 Ülo Uluots 1992 1992 Popular Front of Estonia
17 Hain Rebas 1992 1993 Estonian National Independence Party
18 Jüri Luik 1993 1994 Pro Patria Union
19 Indrek Kannik 1994 1994 Pro Patria Union
20 Enn Tupp 1994 1995 Pro Patria Union
21 Andrus Öövel 1995 1999 Estonian Coalition Party
Jüri Luik (2nd time) 1999 2002 Pro Patria Union
22 Sven Mikser 2002 2003 Estonian Centre Party
23 Margus Hanson 2003 2004 Estonian Reform Party
24 Jaak Jõerüüt 2004 2005 Estonian Reform Party
25 Jürgen Ligi 2005 2007 Estonian Reform Party
26 Jaak Aaviksoo 2007 2011 Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
27 Mart Laar 2011 2012 Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
28 Urmas Reinsalu 2012 2014 Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Sven Mikser (2nd time) 2014 2015 Social Democratic Party
29 Hannes Hanso 2015 Social Democratic Party

External links

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