Andrus Ansip facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Andrus Ansip
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Ansip in 2012
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| Member of the European Parliament for Estonia |
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| Assumed office 2 July 2019 |
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| European Commissioner for Digital Single Market | |
| In office 1 November 2014 – 1 July 2019 |
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| President | Jean-Claude Juncker |
| Preceded by | Neelie Kroes (Digital Agenda) |
| Succeeded by | Maroš Šefčovič (Acting) |
| European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Acting |
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| In office 1 January 2017 – 7 July 2017 |
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| President | Jean-Claude Juncker |
| Preceded by | Günther Oettinger |
| Succeeded by | Mariya Gabriel |
| 16th Prime Minister of Estonia | |
| In office 12 April 2005 – 26 March 2014 |
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| President | Arnold Rüütel Toomas Hendrik Ilves |
| Preceded by | Juhan Parts |
| Succeeded by | Taavi Rõivas |
| Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications | |
| In office 23 September 2004 – 12 April 2005 |
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| Prime Minister | Juhan Parts |
| Preceded by | Meelis Atonen |
| Succeeded by | Edgar Savisaar |
| Mayor of Tartu | |
| In office 10 September 1998 – 23 September 2004 |
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| Preceded by | Roman Mugur |
| Succeeded by | Laine Randjärv |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 October 1956 Tartu, Estonia |
| Political party | Reform Party |
| Spouse | Anu Ansip |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | University of Tartu Estonian University of Life Sciences |
| Signature |  |
Andrus Ansip (born 1 October 1956) is an Estonian politician. He has held important roles in both Estonia and the European Union. From 2014 to 2019, he was a European Commissioner and Vice President of the European Commission. Before that, he served as the Prime Minister of Estonia from 2005 to 2014. He also led the liberal Estonian Reform Party from 2004 to 2014.
Before becoming a politician, Ansip worked as a chemist. He also had jobs in banking and business. He first entered the Estonian Parliament in 2004. Soon after, he became the Minister of Economic Affairs. In April 2005, he became Prime Minister. In November 2014, he joined the European Commission.
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Early Life and Early Career
Andrus Ansip was born in Tartu, Estonia. He studied chemistry at the University of Tartu and finished in 1979. After university, he worked as an engineer there until 1983. He also spent two years in the military.
Later, he worked for the Estonian branch of the Communist Party from 1986 to 1988. Ansip also got involved in banking and investment. He was on the board of the People's Bank of Tartu. He also led an investment fund company. He was even the chairman of Radio Tartu.
Political Journey
Mayor of Tartu
In 1998, Ansip was chosen as the Mayor of Tartu. He was a candidate for the Reform Party. He was very popular as mayor and held the job until 2004. He had run for a seat in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) before. But he always chose to stay as Mayor instead. Laine Jänes, another member of the Reform Party, took over from him.
Leading the Reform Party
In November 2004, Andrus Ansip became the leader of the Estonian Reform Party. The party's founder, Siim Kallas, had left to become a European Commissioner in Brussels. This meant Ansip had to move to Tallinn. He got a chance to do so when the Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications, Meelis Atonen, resigned. Ansip took his place in September. He was a minister for a short time before becoming Prime Minister.
Prime Minister of Estonia
On 31 March 2005, President Arnold Rüütel asked Ansip to form a new government. This happened after Prime Minister Juhan Parts resigned. Ansip managed to form a team with the Centre Party and the People's Union of Estonia. The Estonian Parliament approved his government on 12 April 2005. This made Ansip the Prime Minister of Estonia. He was supported by 53 out of 101 members of Parliament. He and his ministers officially started their jobs on 13 April.
In March 2007, Ansip's Reform Party won the elections again. They got 27 percent of the votes. This increased their seats in Parliament from 19 to 31. Ansip himself received over 22,500 votes. President Toomas Hendrik Ilves asked him to form a new government. This time, the Reform Party teamed up with the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica and the Social Democratic Party. His second time as prime minister started on 5 April 2007. In May 2009, the Social Democrats left the government. Ansip's government then continued with just the Reform Party and the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica.
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In March 2011, the Reform Party won 33 seats in Parliament. They remained the biggest party. This happened even after Estonia's economy had shrunk in 2009. President Toomas Hendrik Ilves again asked Ansip to form a government. The Reform Party continued to work with the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica. Ansip's third time as prime minister began on 6 April 2011.
However, Ansip's government soon faced challenges. Voters were tired of years of careful spending. There were also some difficult times for the party. On 4 March 2014, Ansip announced he would step down. He wanted a new leader to guide his party into the 2015 elections. From December 2013 to March 2014, he was the longest-serving prime minister in the European Union.
European Commissioner
In the 2014 European elections, Ansip was elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). He received the most votes in Estonia. Soon after, Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas suggested him as Estonia's next European Commissioner.
On 10 September 2014, Jean-Claude Juncker, who was going to be the new President of the European Commission, announced his plan. He proposed Andrus Ansip to be a Vice-President of the European Commission. He would also be the European Commissioner for the Digital Single Market. The European Council officially appointed him with the approval of the European Parliament.
Member of the European Parliament (2019-2024)
Ansip was re-elected as an MEP in 2019. He then resigned from the European Commission to take up his seat in the European Parliament. In Parliament, he worked on the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. He also joined the Committee on Petitions and a special committee on Artificial Intelligence.
Ansip was also part of the Parliament's group that works with the Pan-African Parliament. He was a member of other groups focused on the internet, artificial intelligence, and coastal areas. In March 2024, Ansip announced he would not run in the 2024 European Parliament election.
Bronze Soldier of Tallinn
One notable action during Ansip's time as prime minister was the moving of the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn monument. This monument was moved from a main spot in Tallinn to the Defence Forces Cemetery of Tallinn. The decision to move the monument and war graves on 27 April 2007 led to strong public reactions and protests.
Personal Life
Andrus Ansip is married to Anu Ansip, who is a gynecologist. They were both born in 1956. They have three daughters:
- Reet (born 1977), who is a stomatologist (a type of dentist).
- Tiina (born 1981), who is a journalist.
- Liisa (born 1997).
Andrus Ansip has also been a member of the Estonian voluntary home guard organization, Kaitseliit (Defence League), since 2009.
Awards
- On 31 July 2007, the Estonian Central Council in Canada honored Ansip. They recognized him for his efforts in fighting for Estonian freedom and national identity.
- The Estonian Newspaper Association named Ansip the "Press Enemy of 2007".
Albania: On 5 April 2010, he received a copy of the key to the city of Tirana. This was during his official visit to Albania.
Images for kids
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Andrus Ansip's signature
See Also
In Spanish: Andrus Ansip para niños
