Kristen Michal

Kristen Michal
Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure
In office 9 April 2015 – 23 November 2016
Prime Minister	Taavi Rõivas
Preceded by	Urve Palo
Succeeded by	Kadri Simson
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 was the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure in Taavi Rõivas' cabinet between 9 April 2015 and 22 November 2016. Previously, Michal has served as the Minister of Justice from 2011 to 2012.^[1]

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

1. "Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure Kristen Michal".
2. "Kristan Michal". Justice Ministry. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
3. "New Government assumes office". Government Communication Unit. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
4. "Kristen Michal resigns as Minister of Justice". Baltic Business. 7 December 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
5. "Estonia Reshuffles Government After Graft Scandal". IPOT News. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2013.
6. "European anti-corruption watchdog eyes Estonia". Tallinn: EU Business. 31 May 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
7. Tere, Juhan (31 July 2012). "Estonian Prosecutor's Office declares Michal and Lillo suspects". Tallinn: The Baltic Course. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
8. "Estonian Justice Minister in Money Laundering Investigation". Tallinn: assist america. 31 July 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
9. "Justice minister in probe" (PDF). Arab Times Online. 1 August 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2012.
10. "Social Democrats Pursue Vote of No Confidence in Minister". ERR News. 10 September 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
11. "Petition for Vote of No Confidence Against Justice Minister Fails". ERR. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
12. Tere, Juhan (15 October 2012). "Estonian State Prosecutor's Office closes Reform Party criminal case". The Baltic Course. Tallinn. Retrieved 15 October 2012.
13. "Political Contributions Investigation Ended for Lack of Evidence". ERR. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 28 October 2015.

External links