Kristen Michal
| Kristen Michal | |
|---|---|
| File:Kristen Michal, 2011.jpg | |
| Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure | |
| Assumed office 9 April 2015 |
|
| Prime Minister | Taavi Rõivas |
| Preceded by | Urve Palo |
| Minister of Justice | |
| In office 6 April 2011 – 10 December 2012 |
|
| Prime Minister | Andrus Ansip |
| Preceded by | Rein Lang |
| Succeeded by | Hanno Pevkur |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 July 1975 Tallinn, Estonia |
| Nationality | Estonian |
| Political party | Reform Party |
| Alma mater | Academy Nord |
Kristen Michal (born 2 July 1975) is an Estonian politician. Member of the Estonian Reform Party, he has been the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure in Taavi Rõivas' cabinet since 9 April 2015. Previously, Michal has served as the Minister of Justice from 2011 to 2012.[1]
Contents
Early life and education
Michal was born in Tallinn on 2 July 1975.[2] 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.[2]
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).[2] 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.[2] He was appointed Minister of Justice on 6 April 2011,[3] replacing another Reform Party member Rein Lang. Michal's term ended on 10 December 2012, when he resigned from office.[4] He was replaced by Hanno Pevkur as the Minister of Justice.[5] Since 9 April 2015, he serves as the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure.
2015 Parliamentary elections brought Michal a personal record of votes and a strong mandate from the people. Therefore, Michal was also included in the new government as the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure. Under his leadership the government has planned to relocate the Competition Authority from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications to the Ministry of Justice and bring the natural resources management under the MMinistry of Economic Affairs and Communications. In transport, the main focus will be on Rail Baltic - finalizing the route and starting construction. Energy sector will focus on connecting the gas network with Central-Europe and increasing the share of renewable energy in energy consumption. Also, increasing energy efficiency among companies. In the field of IT, the ministry will create new e-services and continue with the e-residency programme. One of broader goals is to re-structure the policy for government owned companies.
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.[6] 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.[6] 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.[7] Michal was investigated on accusations of money laundering and illegal party financing.[8][9] 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.[10] However, petition failed on 19 September 2012 when the party gave up the process.[11] Michal announced that if he would be found guilty, he would resign from his post.[10] Estonian State Prosecutor's Office closed the case on 15 October 2012.[12]
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.[13]
References
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External links
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Minister of Justice 2011–2012 |
Succeeded by Hanno Pevkur |
| Preceded by | Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure 2015–present |
Incumbent |
