Jürgen Ligi (born 16 July 1959) is an

Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Ru ...

politician A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...

, former

Minister of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the ministry of foreign affairs (abbreviated as MFA or MOFA) is the highest government department exclusively or primarily responsible for the state's foreign policy and foreign relations, relations, diplomacy, bilateralism, ...

, and a member and the vice-chairman of the liberal Reform Party. He was Minister of Education and Research in

Taavi Rõivas Taavi Rõivas (; born 26 September 1979) is an Estonian politician, former Prime Minister of Estonia from 2014 to 2016 and former leader of the Reform Party. Before his term as the Prime Minister, Rõivas was the Minister of Social Affairs from ...

' cabinet from 9 April 2015 to 12 September 2016. Previously, Ligi has served as the

Minister of Defence A ministry of defence or defense (see spelling differences), also known as a department of defence or defense, is the part of a government responsible for matters of defence and military forces, found in states where the government is divid ...

from 2005 to 2007 and as the

Minister of Finance A ministry of finance is a ministry or other government agency in charge of government finance, fiscal policy, and financial regulation. It is headed by a finance minister, an executive or cabinet position . A ministry of finance's portfolio ...

from 2009 to 2014.

Early life

After graduating from Tartu Second Gymnasium in 1977, he studied geography and foreign economics at the

University of Tartu The University of Tartu (UT; ; ) is a public research university located in the city of Tartu, Estonia. It is the national university of Estonia. It is also the largest and oldest university in the country.

. He also graduated from the Estonian Business School. Ligi has been the Head of

Kuressaare Kuressaare () is a populated places in Estonia, town on the island of Saaremaa in Estonia. It is the administrative centre of Saaremaa Municipality and the seat of Saare County. Kuressaare is the westernmost town in Estonia. The recorded popul ...

Branch of the EVEA Pank, the Economic Advisor and Business Consultant to Kaarma Parish Rural Municipality Government, the Head of the Kuressaare Regional Office of the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Chief Specialist of

Saaremaa Saaremaa (; ) is the largest and most populous island in Estonia. Measuring , its population is 31,435 (as of January 2020). The main island of the West Estonian archipelago (Moonsund archipelago), it is located in the Baltic Sea, south of Hi ...

Agro-industrial Association, and the Economist of the Planning Institute of the National Planning Committee.

Political career

Member of Parliament

Ligi was member of the

Riigikogu The Riigikogu (, from Estonian ''riigi-'', "of the state", and ''kogu'', "assembly") is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. In addition to approving legislation, the Parliament appoints high officials, including the prime minister and chi ...

from 1995 to 2005, from 2007 to 2009 and from 2014 to 2015.

Minister of Defence

From 2005 to 2007, Jürgen Ligi was the

Minister of Finance

On 3 June 2009, he was nominated

and sworn in a day later. In October 2014, Ligi raised controversy by bringing up the ethnicity of the Minister of Education and Research Jevgeni Ossinovski. Ligi later apologized, but was pressured to resign from his post.

Minister of Education and Research

On 9 April 2015, Ligi became the Minister of Education and Research in

' second cabinet.

Minister of Foreign Affairs

On 12 September 2016, Ligi was nominated Minister of Foreign Affairs, after the former Minister Marina Kaljurand had decided to step down and run for president.

Personal life

Jürgen Ligi is the son of archaeologist Herbert Ligi. Jürgen's mother Reet's father was archaeologist Harri Moora. His brother Priit Ligi was also an archaeologist; he died on the cruise ferry MS ''Estonia'' that sank in 1994. Jürgen's sister Katre is married to poet Hando Runnel. He is also related to poet Juhan Viiding and politician Indrek Tarand. Jürgen Ligi himself is married and has two sons.

References

External links

Curriculum vitae
- Estonian Government , - , - , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Ligi, Jurgen 1959 births 20th-century Estonian economists Ministers of defence of Estonia Estonian Reform Party politicians Finance ministers of Estonia Government ministers of Estonia Living people Members of the Riigikogu, 1995–1999 Members of the Riigikogu, 1999–2003 Members of the Riigikogu, 2003–2007 Members of the Riigikogu, 2007–2011 Members of the Riigikogu, 2011–2015 Members of the Riigikogu, 2015–2019 Members of the Riigikogu, 2019–2023 Members of the Riigikogu, 2023–2027 Miina Härma Gymnasium alumni Ministers of foreign affairs of Estonia Politicians from Tartu Recipients of the Order of the National Coat of Arms, 3rd Class University of Tartu alumni