Minister of Defence (Estonia)

The Minister of Defence (Estonian: Kaitseminister) is the senior minister at the Ministry of Defence (Estonian: 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.

Minister of Defence of Estonia
Eesti kaitseminister
Standard of the Minister of Defence
Incumbent
Hanno Pevkur
since 18 July 2022
Ministry of Defence
AppointerKaja Kallas
Politics of Estonia
State
Presidency
Executive
Legislature
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

When the position was originally established in 1918, it was called the minister of war (Sõjaminister).[1] 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 same.

Since Estonia regained its independence in 1991 the post has been known as the minister of defence.[1]

List of ministers

1918 to 1929 (Minister of War)
Name Took office Left office Party
Andres Larka February 24, 1918 November 27, 1918 Independent
Konstantin Päts November 27, 1918 May 8, 1919 Rural League
Otto Strandman May 8, 1919 November 18, 1919 Estonian Labour Party
August Johannes Hanko November 18, 1919 July 28, 1920 Independent
Aleksander Tõnisson July 28, 1920 October 26, 1920 Independent
Ants Piip October 26, 1920 January 25, 1921 Estonian Labour Party
Jaan Soots January 25, 1921 August 2, 1923 Farmers' Assemblies
Ado Anderkopp August 2, 1923 February 19, 1924 Estonian Labour Party
Oskar Amberg March 26, 1924 October 18, 1924 Christian People's Party
Hans Kurvits November 11, 1924 November 26, 1924 Independent
Jaan Soots (2nd time) December 16, 1924 March 4, 1927 Farmers' Assemblies
Nikolai Reek March 4, 1927 December 4, 1928 Independent
Mihkel Juhkam December 4, 1928 March 31, 1929 Estonian Labour Party

1929 to 1937 (Minister of Defence)
Name Took office Left office Party
Mihkel Juhkam April 1, 1929 July 9, 1929 Estonian Labour Party
Oskar Köster July 9, 1929 February 12, 1931 Settlers' Party
August Kerem February 12, 1931 November 19, 1932 Estonian People's Party
Aleksander Tõnisson (2nd time) November 1, 1932 May 18, 1933 Independent
August Kerem (2nd time) May 18, 1933 October 21, 1933 Estonian People's Party
Paul Lill October 21, 1933 March 31, 1937 Independent

1937 to 1940 (Minister of War)
Name Took office Left office
Paul Lill April 1, 1937 October 12, 1939
Nikolai Reek (2nd time) October 12, 1939 June 21, 1940

1992 to present (Minister of Defence)
Name Took office Left office Party
Ülo Uluots June 18, 1992 October 21, 1992 Popular Front of Estonia
Hain Rebas October 21, 1992 August 5, 1993 Estonian National Independence Party
Jüri Luik August 23, 1993 November 8, 1994 Pro Patria National Coalition Party
Indrek Kannik January 7, 1994 May 23, 1994 Pro Patria National Coalition Party
Enn Tupp June 28, 1994 April 17, 1995 Pro Patria National Coalition Party
Andrus Öövel April 17, 1995 March 25, 1999 Estonian Coalition Party
Jüri Luik (2nd time) March 25, 1999 January 28, 2002 Pro Patria Union
Sven Mikser January 28, 2002 April 10, 2003 Estonian Centre Party
Margus Hanson April 10, 2003 November 22, 2004 Estonian Reform Party
Jaak Jõerüüt November 22, 2004 October 8, 2005 Estonian Reform Party
Jürgen Ligi October 10, 2005 April 5, 2007 Estonian Reform Party
Jaak Aaviksoo April 5, 2007 April 6, 2011 Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Mart Laar April 6, 2011 May 11, 2012 Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Urmas Reinsalu May 14, 2012 March 26, 2014 Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Sven Mikser (2nd time) March 26, 2014 September 14, 2015 Social Democratic Party
Hannes Hanso September 14, 2015 November 23, 2016 Social Democratic Party
Margus Tsahkna November 23, 2016 June 12, 2017 Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Jüri Luik (3rd time) June 12, 2017 January 26, 2021 Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica
Kalle Laanet January 26, 2021 July 18, 2022 Estonian Reform Party
Hanno Pevkur July 18, 2022 Incumbent Estonian Reform Party

References
  1. "Eesti kaitseministrid läbi ajaloo | Kaitseministeerium". kaitseministeerium.ee (in Estonian). Retrieved 19 January 2022.

Sources
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