Margus_Tsahkna

Margus Tsahkna

Margus Tsahkna

Estonian politician (born 1977)

Margus Tsahkna (born 13 April 1977) is an Estonian politician, leader of new liberal Estonia 200 party since 19 November 2023, former leader of the conservative Isamaa party, former Minister of Defence in Jüri Ratas' cabinet and Minister of Social Protection in Taavi Rõivas' second cabinet.[1] He was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Affairs in the third cabinet of Kaja Kallas on 17 April 2023.[2][3][4]

Quick Facts Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister ...

Early life

Tsahkna was born in Tartu, Estonia. After graduating high school in Tartu in 1995, he studied theology and law at the University of Tartu, from 1996 to 2002 and international law at the University of Toronto, from 1999 to 2000.[5]

Political career

In 2000, he joined the Pro Patria party. From 2001 to 2004 he was chairman of Noor-Isamaa, the party's youth organisation. From 2001 to 2003 he was a member of Tartu city council. From 2003 to 2006 he was the party's political secretary. After the affiliation of the Pro Patria and Res Publica parties, to form the Pro Patria ja Res Publica Liit party, he was secretary general from 2007 to 2010, and political secretary from 2010 to 2013. In 2013 he became assistant chairman. He has been a member of the Estonian parliament since 2007, the member of the parliaments finance committee and social committee. He has also acted as a chairman of the parliaments social committee from 2011-2014.

In 2000, he founded the Christian Adolescent Home in Tartu.

He is a member of the General Johan Laidoner Society and of the Korp! Sakala student society.

In 2009, he won second place in the Estonian television singing competition Laulud tähtedega ("Singing with Stars"). He sang with Birgit Õigemeel, winner of the Eesti otsib superstaari.

In 2015 parliamentary election, Tsahkna was re-elected to the parliament with 2,267 individual votes.[6] He was chosen the chairman of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union on 6 June 2015.[7]

In April 2017, Tsahkna announced that he would not seek re-election as chairman.[8] He was followed by Helir-Valdor Seeder on 13 May 2017.[9] Tsahkna left the party on 26 June 2017.[10] In 2018 he left Isamaa and joined Estonia 200.[11]

Personal life

Tsahkna speaks Russian, Estonian and English. He is married and has four children.

References

  1. [1]
    "Minister Margus Tsahkna". valitsus.ee. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  2. [2]
    "Reformierakond avalikustas oma valitsusdelegatsiooni". Eesti Rahvusringhääling (in Estonian). 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  3. [3]
    "Coalition agreement: VAT, income tax to rise by 2 percent". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 2023-04-08. Retrieved 2023-04-08.
  4. [4]
    "Riigikogu gives Kaja Kallas mandate to form new government". Eesti Rahvusringhääling. 2023-04-12. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  5. [5]
    "Margus Tsahkna Minister of Defence" (PDF). kaitseministeerium.ee. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  6. [6]
    "Riigikogu valimised 2015: Detailne hääletamistulemus". Vabariigi Valimiskomisjon. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  7. [7]
    "Tsahkna named IRL chairman, pledges to unite party". ERR. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2015.
  8. [8]
    "Tsahkna not to seek reelection as chairman of IRL". ERR. 12 May 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  9. [9]
    "Helir-Valdor Seeder elected chairman of IRL". ERR. 13 May 2017. Retrieved 13 April 2017.
  10. [10]
    "Tsahkna ja Mihkelson lahkuvad IRListTsahkna ja Mihkelson lahkuvad IRList". Postimees. 26 June 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  11. [11]
    "New political movement Estonia 200 established". baltictimes.com. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
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