Mart Laar

Mart Laar, Chairman of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union and Minister of Defence, served as a member of the Riigikogu before assuming his current position. From 1992-1994 and 1999-2002 he served Estonia twice as Prime Minister.

By education, Mart is an historian. He graduated from the University of Tartu in 1983 and obtained his Master’s degree there in 1995. He obtained his PhD in 2005 by successfully defending his dissertation entitled “The Awakeners – the National Awakening Period in Estonia in the 19th Century and the Upholders Thereof.”

Mart is a prolific writer. He has published dozens of books, many of which have been translated into foreign languages. He is also the co-author of several history textbooks.

As far as sports are concerned, he enjoys racquet sports – tennis, squash and badminton – and ping-pong.
Mart has received the Milton Friedman Award for promoting freedom. He is a member of the Estonian Students Society.

He is married and has a son and daughter.


CV

Date and place of birth: 22 April 1960, Viljandi

Education
2005 University of Tartu, Doctor of Philosophy
1995 University of Tartu, Master of Philosophy
1983 University of Tartu, History
1978 Tallinn 46th Secondary School

Career
2007–2011 XI Riigikogu, member
2003–2007 X Riigikogu, member
2002–2003 IX Riigikogu, member
1999–2002 Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia
1995–1999 VIII Riigikogu, member
1992–1994 Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia
1992 VII Riigikogu, member
1990–1992 Supreme Council of the Republic of Estonia, member
1986–1990 Ministry of Culture, Department of Historical Monuments, Head
1983–1986 Tallinn 24th Secondary School, teacher

Languages: English, German, Russian & Finnish

Party membership: Pro Patria and Res Publica Union