Edgar Savisaar Estonian politician, since April 5, 2007 - Mayor of Tallinn Date of Birth: 31.05.1950 Country: Estonia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Career
3. Mayor of Tallinn
4. Personal Life

Early Life and Education

Edgar Savisaar was born in a prison camp in Harju County, Estonia, on 31 May 1950. His mother, Maria, was serving a five-year sentence for selling a horse to avoid its confiscation by a collective farm. Young Savisaar spent his early years in the prison camp with his mother. After completing high school, he studied history at the University of Tartu, graduating in 1973. In 1980, he earned a doctorate in philosophy.

Political Career

Savisaar began his political career in the 1980s as an economist and planner. In 1988, he co-founded the Estonian Popular Front, a political movement that played a significant role in the restoration of Estonia's independence.

In 1990, Savisaar was appointed Prime Minister of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic. He became the first Premier after Estonia declared its independence in 1991. However, he resigned in 1992 due to economic difficulties.

Savisaar continued his political career as a member of Riigikogu, Estonia's parliament, and served as Minister of Internal Affairs from 1995 to 1996. In 1996, he became Mayor of Tallinn, a position he held until 2004.

Mayor of Tallinn

After a brief stint as Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications from 2005 to 2007, Savisaar was re-elected as Mayor of Tallinn in 2007. He has held the position uninterruptedly since then.

Savisaar is a controversial figure in Estonian politics. He has been praised by some for his advocacy for Russian-speaking Estonians and the poor. However, his opponents have accused him of authoritarianism, nepotism, corruption, and collusion with Russia's United Russia party.

Personal Life

Savisaar was married to Kairi Savisaar until their divorce in 1996. They have a son, Erki, and two granddaughters. He then married Viive Savisaar in 1996. They had a daughter, Rosina, before divorcing in 2009. Savisaar also has a daughter, Maria, and a son, Edgar, from a second marriage to Liis Savisaar.