Jüri Ratas's first cabinet
Jüri Ratas's cabinet was the 49th cabinet of Estonia, in office from 23 November 2016 to 29 April 2019.[1][2] It was a centre-left coalition cabinet of Centre Party, Social Democratic Party and conservative Pro Patria and Res Publica Union. It was preceded by the Second Cabinet of Taavi Rõivas, a cabinet that ended when Social Democrats and the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica joined the opposition's no confidence vote against the cabinet.[3][4][5] This was the first time since 1999 the liberal centre-right Reform Party were out of the government.
Jüri Ratas's cabinet | |
|---|---|
 49th Cabinet of Estonia | |
.jpg.webp) | |
| Date formed | 23 November 2016 |
| Date dissolved | 29 April 2019 |
| People and organisations | |
| Head of state | Kersti Kaljulaid |
| Head of government | Jüri Ratas |
| No. of ministers | 15 |
| Ministers removed | 9 |
| Total no. of members | 24 |
| Member parties | Centre Party Social Democrats Pro Patria |
| Opposition parties | Reform Party Free Party Conservative People's Party |
| History | |
| Election(s) | 2015 election |
| Predecessor | Taavi Rõivas's second cabinet |
| Successor | Jüri Ratas's second cabinet |
 |
|---|
Ministers
Centre Party and Social Democratic Party announced the names of their chosen cabinet ministers on 19 November, whereas Pro Patria and Res Publica made the announcement on 21 November.[5][6]
Resignations and changes
On 6 December 2016, Minister of Rural Affairs, Martin Repinski, resigned due to massive media criticism of the questionable business practices of his goat farm.[7] Centre Party decided to nominate Tarmo Tamm as his successor.[8]
On 24 May 2017, Minister of Public Administration, Mihhail Korb, resigned, in the interests of the health of the coalition, after the scandal that erupted following his comment on his lack of support for Estonia's NATO membership.[9][10] He was replaced with Jaak Aab.[11] Aab himself resigned on 17 April 2018 after being caught by Police speeding (73 km/h in 50 km/h zone) and driving under the influence (blood alcohol level 0.28‰)[12] and was replaced with Janek Mäggi, until then non-partisan public relations specialist.[13]
On 7 June 2017, following the change of party leadership, Pro Patria and Res Publica Union, decided to replace three of it ministers in the Cabinet.
- Siim Kiisler replaced Marko Pomerants as Minister of the Environment.
- Toomas Tõniste replaced Sven Sester as Minister of Finance.
- Jüri Luik replaced Margus Tsahkna as Minister of Defence.[14]
On 7 April 2018, Minister of Health and Labour, Jevgeni Ossinovski, announced his intention to resign in order to focus on leading the Social Democratic party to the March 2019 elections.[15] He was replaced with Riina Sikkut.[16]
On 23 July 2018, Minister of Entrepreneurship, Urve Palo, announced her resignation and that she had also quit Social Democratic Party.[17] She was replaced with Rene Tammist.[18]
On 20 November 2018, Minister of the Interior, Andres Anvelt, announced that he would resign and leave politics due to health reasons.[19] He was replaced by Katri Raik on November 26.[20]
References
- "President appoints Jüri Ratas' government". ERR. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- "Ratas' second government sworn in Monday afternoon". ERR. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- "Government falls as Social Democrats and IRL leave coalition". ERR. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
- "Prime Minister loses no confidence vote, forced to resign". ERR. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- "Coalition agreement ready, ministries distributed". ERR. 19 November 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- "IRL nimetas viis ministrikandidaati". Postimees. 21 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- "Rural affairs minister resigns after less than two weeks on job". ERR. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- "President appoints Tarmo Tamm Minister of Rural Affairs". ERR. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- "Minister Korb: I am not in favor of NATO membership". ERR. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
- "Estonia's public administration minister resigns over NATO remarks". Postimees. Eesti Meedia. 24 May 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
- "Four new ministers sworn in". ERR. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
- "Minister of Public Administration Jaak Aab announces resignation". ERR. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- "Ratas to nominate Janek Mäggi for public administration minister". ERR. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- "Tõniste, Luik, Kiisler named new IRL ministers". ERR. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
- "Ossinovski to step down as minister". ERR. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
- "New ministers Sikkut, Mäggi sworn in". ERR. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- "Urve Palo quits Social Democratic Party, resigns as minister". ERR. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- "Gallery: Tammist sworn in as new IT minister". ERR. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- Vahtla, Aili (20 November 2018). "Minister of the Interior Andres Anvelt resigns, to leave politics". news.err.ee.
- Cavegn, Dario (26 November 2018). "Katri Raik appointed new interior minister". news.err.ee.