Kristen Michal | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Michal in 2024 | |
| Prime Minister of Estonia | |
| Assumed office 23 July 2024 | |
| President | Alar Karis |
| Preceded by | Kaja Kallas |
| Leader of theEstonian Reform Party | |
| Assumed office 8 September 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Kaja Kallas |
| Minister of Climate | |
| In office 17 April 2023 – 23 July 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Kaja Kallas |
| Preceded by | Madis Kallas |
| Succeeded by | Yoko Alender |
| Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure | |
| In office 9 April 2015 – 23 November 2016 | |
| Prime Minister | Taavi Rõivas |
| Preceded by | Urve Palo |
| Succeeded by | Kadri Simson |
| Minister of Justice | |
| In office 6 April 2011 – 10 December 2012 | |
| Prime Minister | Andrus Ansip |
| Preceded by | Rein Lang |
| Succeeded by | Hanno Pevkur |
| Member of theRiigikogu | |
| In office 12 May 2004 – 17 April 2023 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1975-07-12)12 July 1975 (age 50) |
| Party | Reform (since 1996) |
| Spouse | Evelin Oras |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University Nord |
Kristen Michal (Estonian:[ˈkristenˈmihːɑl]; born 12 July 1975) is theprime minister of Estonia, having taken office on 23 July 2024. He previously served asminister of justice from 2011 to 2012,minister of economic affairs and infrastructure from 2015 to 2016,[1] andminister of climate from 2023 to 2024.[2][3]
Michal was born inTallinn on 12 July 1975.[4] He studied law atUniversity Nord in Tallinn and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2009. He has been pursuing master's degree in law atTallinn University since 2009.[4]
As member of theEstonian Reform Party, Michal worked in 1996–2002 as an advisor to the party at different levels. In 2002, he became an advisor to then prime ministerSiim Kallas. Michal served as theelder of the administrative district ofKesklinn, Tallinn in 2002–2003.[4] In 2003, he was appointed secretary general of the Reform Party and held this position until 2011. Michal was elected member of parliament (Riigikogu) in 2005–2011 and 2012–2015.[4]
He was appointedMinister of Justice on 6 April 2011,[5] replacing another Reform Party memberRein Lang.
In May 2012, Michal was at the centre of accusations bySilver 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.[6] Both Michal and Prime MinisterAndrus Ansip denied these allegations. Delegates fromthe Council of Europe's GRECO anti-corruption watchdog visited the country in June 2012 to investigate the accusations.[6] On 31 July 2012, the Estonian State Prosecutor's Office announced that Michal andKalev Lillo, another Reform Party member, were suspects in this case and that both had been interrogated.[7] Michal was investigated on accusations ofmoney laundering and illegal party financing.[8][9] 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.[10] However, petition failed on 19 September 2012 when the party gave up the process.[11] Michal announced that if he would be found guilty, he would resign from his post.[10] The Estonian State Prosecutor's Office closed the case on 15 October 2012 without finding evidence of wrongdoing.[12]
Michal's term as Minister of Justice ended on 10 December 2012, when he resigned from office.[13] He was replaced in that office byHanno Pevkur.[14] From 9 April 2015 to 23 November 2016, Michal served as theminister of economic affairs and infrastructure.
On 29 June 2024, Michal was nominated by the Estonian Reform Party to replaceKaja Kallas in the office of Prime Minister of Estonia, after Kallas had been appointedEU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.[15]Kristen Michal's cabinet took office on 23 July 2024, after the 14 ministers were sworn in before the Riigikogu.[16]
Michal and his partner Evelin Oras, a political advisor, have been together since the mid-2000s. They have three children.[17]
Media related toKristen Michal at Wikimedia Commons| 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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