Villu Reiljan
Villu Reiljan (born May 23, 1953 in Võru ) is an Estonian politician. From 2000 to 2007 he was chairman of the Estonian People's Union ( Eestimaa Rahvaliit ).
Early years
After graduating from high school in 1970, Reiljan studied forestry at the Estonian Agricultural Academy in Võru until 1975 . He then worked as the deputy director of a forestry state farm school in Palamuse . The forest school was later merged with the Kaarepere (German: Kersel ) college , where Reiljan held several posts, most recently as its director. In 1991 Villu Reiljan became director of the Luua Higher Forestry School (Palamuse municipality). Then he went into politics.
Politician
From 1995 to 1999, Villu Reiljan was Estonian Environment Minister in the governments of Tiit Vähi and Mart Siimann . From 1999 to 2003 he was a member of the Estonian Parliament ( Riigikogu ), in which he was parliamentary group leader of the Rural-Agrarian Estonian People's Union until 2001. In 2000 he succeeded Arnold Rüütel as chairman of the party. From March 2003 to October 2006, Reiljan was again Environment Minister in the cabinets of Juhan Parts and Andrus Ansip . Before the Estonian referendum on EU membership in September 2003, he made a special case for Estonia's membership in the European Union .
After the defeat of the People's Union in the election for Estonian President in 2006 and in the parliamentary elections in 2007 , Villu Reiljan resigned as party leader. He was succeeded in April 2007 by Jaanus Marrandi .
Private life
Villu Reiljan is married and has two grown daughters.
Web links
- Biography of the Estonian State Chancellery (Estonian)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Reiljan, Villu |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Estonian politician, member of the Riigikogu |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 23, 1953 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Võru |