Margus Tsahkna | |
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![]() Tsahkna in 2024 | |
Minister of Foreign Affairs | |
Assumed office 17 April 2023 | |
Prime Minister | Kaja Kallas Kristen Michal |
Preceded by | Urmas Reinsalu |
Minister of Defence | |
In office 23 November 2016 –12 June 2017 | |
Prime Minister | Jüri Ratas |
Preceded by | Hannes Hanso |
Succeeded by | Jüri Luik |
Minister of Social Protection | |
In office 9 April 2015 –23 November 2016 | |
Prime Minister | Taavi Rõivas |
Preceded by | Helmen Kütt |
Succeeded by | Kaia Iva |
Leader of the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica | |
In office 6 June 2015 –13 May 2017 | |
Preceded by | Urmas Reinsalu |
Succeeded by | Helir-Valdor Seeder |
Leader of Eesti 200 | |
In office 19 November 2023 –31 August 2024 | |
Preceded by | Lauri Hussar |
Succeeded by | Kristina Kallas |
Personal details | |
Born | Tartu,Estonia | 13 April 1977
Political party | Eesti 200 (2018–present) |
Other political affiliations | Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (2000–2017) |
Spouse | Anna-Greta Tsahkna |
Children | 4 |
Margus Tsahkna (born 13 April 1977) is an Estonian politician. He has been Minister of Foreign Affairs since the third cabinet of Kaja Kallas was sworn in on 17 April 2023 and continues in that role in Kristen Michal's cabinet. [1] [2] [3] He is also the leader of the Estonia 200 party since 19 November 2023.
Previously,he was the leader of the conservative Isamaa party,Minister of Defence in Jüri Ratas' cabinet and Minister of Social Protection in Taavi Rõivas' second cabinet. [4]
Tsahkna was born in Tartu,Estonia. In 1995,he graduated from a secondary school. From 1996 to 2002,he studied theology and law at the University of Tartu,without graduating. Between 1999 and 2000 he also studied international law at the University of Toronto,without graduating. [5]
In 2000,he joined the Pro Patria party. From 2001 to 2004 he was chairman of Noor-Isamaa,the party's youth organisation. From 2001 to 2003 he was a member of Tartu city council. From 2003 to 2006 he was the party's political secretary. After the affiliation of the Pro Patria and Res Publica parties,to form the Pro Patria ja Res Publica Liit party,he was secretary general from 2007 to 2010,and political secretary from 2010 to 2013. In 2013,he became assistant chairman. He has been a member of the Estonian parliament since 2007,the member of the parliaments finance committee and social committee. He has also acted as a chairman of the parliaments social committee from 2011 to 2014.[ citation needed ]
In 2000,he founded the Christian Adolescent Home in Tartu.[ citation needed ]
He is a member of the General Johan Laidoner Society and of the Korp! Sakala student society.[ citation needed ]
In 2009,he won second place in the Estonian television singing competition Laulud tähtedega ("Singing with Stars"). He sang with Birgit Õigemeel,winner of the Eesti otsib superstaari .[ citation needed ]
In 2015 parliamentary election,Tsahkna was re-elected to the parliament with 2,267 individual votes. [6] He was chosen the chairman of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union on 6 June 2015. [7]
In April 2017,Tsahkna announced that he would not seek re-election as chairman. [8] He was followed by Helir-Valdor Seeder on 13 May 2017. [9] Tsahkna left the party on 26 June 2017. [10] In 2018 he left Isamaa and joined Estonia 200. [11]
Tsahkna is married to Anna-Greta Tsahkna and they have four children. He speaks Estonian,fluent English,and some Russian.