Kristen Michal

Kristen Michal (born 12 July 1975) is an Estonian politician. A member of the Estonian Reform Party, he was the minister of economic affairs and infrastructure in Taavi Rõivas' cabinet between 9 April 2015 and 22 November 2016. Previously, Michal served as the minister of justice from 2011 to 2012.[1]

Kristen Michal
Minister of Climate
Assumed office
17 April 2023
Prime MinisterKaja Kallas
Preceded byMadis Kallas
Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure
In office
9 April 2015 – 23 November 2016
Prime MinisterTaavi Rõivas
Preceded byUrve Palo
Succeeded byKadri Simson
Minister of Justice
In office
6 April 2011 – 10 December 2012
Prime MinisterAndrus Ansip
Preceded byRein Lang
Succeeded byHanno Pevkur
Personal details
Born (1975-07-02) 2 July 1975
Tallinn, Estonia
Political partyReform Party
Alma materAcademy Nord
Kristen Michal at the Opinion Festival 2021 in Paide, Estonia

Michal was sworn in as Minister of Climate in the third cabinet of Kaja Kallas on 17 April 2023.[2][3][4]

Early life and education

Michal was born in Tallinn on 2 July 1975.[5] He studied law at Academy Nord and graduated in 2009. He has been pursuing master's study in law at Tallinn University's Law School since 2009.[5]

Political career

Michal worked as an advisor at different levels for the Reform Party from 1996 to 2002. He became an advisor to then prime minister Siim Kallas in 2002. Michal served as the Elder of the Tallinn City Centre for one year (2002–2003).[5] In 2003, he was named as the secretary general of the Reform Party and held this post until 2011. Michal has been a member of the Riigikogu from 2005 to 2011 and from 2012 to 2015.[5] He was appointed Minister of Justice on 6 April 2011,[6] replacing another Reform Party member Rein Lang. Michal's term ended on 10 December 2012, when he resigned from office.[7] He was replaced by Hanno Pevkur as the minister of justice.[8] From 9 April 2015 to 23 November 2016 he served as the minister of economic affairs and infrastructure.

Controversy

In May 2012, it was claimed by Silver 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.[9] He further argued that Michal was informed about these donations. Both Michal and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip denied these allegations. However, upon these accusations, the delegates from the Council of Europe's GRECO anti-corruption watchdog visited the country in June 2012.[9] On 31 July 2012, the Estonian State Prosecutor's Office announced that Michal and Kalev Lillo, another Reform Party member, were suspects of this event and that they both had been interrogated.[10] Michal was investigated on accusations of money laundering and illegal party financing.[11][12] 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.[13] However, petition failed on 19 September 2012 when the party gave up the process.[14] Michal announced that if he would be found guilty, he would resign from his post.[13] Estonian State Prosecutor's Office closed the case on 15 October 2012.[15]

On 15 October 2012, the prosecutor general closed the investigation. Back then, prosecutor Heli Sepp stated that the investigation was concluded with no evidence supporting the accusations.[16]

References
  1. "Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Kristen Michal".
  2. "Reformierakond avalikustas oma valitsusdelegatsiooni". Eesti Rahvusringhääling (in Estonian). 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  3. "Coalition agreement: VAT, income tax to rise by 2 percent". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  4. "Riigikogu gives Kaja Kallas mandate to form new government". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  5. "Kristan Michal". Justice Ministry. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  6. "New Government assumes office". Government Communication Unit. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  7. "Kristen Michal resigns as Minister of Justice". Baltic Business. 7 December 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  8. "Estonia Reshuffles Government After Graft Scandal". IPOT News. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
  9. "European anti-corruption watchdog eyes Estonia". Tallinn: EU Business. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  10. Tere, Juhan (31 July 2012). "Estonian Prosecutor's Office declares Michal and Lillo suspects". Tallinn: The Baltic Course. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  11. "Estonian Justice Minister in Money Laundering Investigation". Tallinn: assist america. 31 July 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  12. "Justice minister in probe" (PDF). Arab Times Online. 1 August 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
  13. "Social Democrats Pursue Vote of No Confidence in Minister". ERR News. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  14. "Petition for Vote of No Confidence Against Justice Minister Fails". ERR. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  15. Tere, Juhan (15 October 2012). "Estonian State Prosecutor's Office closes Reform Party criminal case". The Baltic Course. Tallinn. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
  16. "Political Contributions Investigation Ended for Lack of Evidence". ERR. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
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