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Andrus Ansip
Portrait Andrus Ansip.jpg
Ansip in 2012
Member of the European Parliament
for Estonia
Assumed office
2 July 2019
European Commissioner for Digital Single Market
In office
1 November 2014 – 1 July 2019
President Jean-Claude Juncker
Preceded by Neelie Kroes (Digital Agenda)
Succeeded by Maroš Šefčovič (Acting)
European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society
Acting
In office
1 January 2017 – 7 July 2017
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
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
Prime Minister Juhan Parts
Preceded by Meelis Atonen
Succeeded by Edgar Savisaar
Mayor of Tartu
In office
10 September 1998 – 23 September 2004
Preceded by Roman Mugur
Succeeded by Laine Randjärv
Personal details
Born (1956-10-01) 1 October 1956 (age 67)
Tartu, Estonia
Political party Reform Party
Spouse(s) Anu Ansip
Children 3
Alma mater University of Tartu
Estonian University of Life Sciences

Andrus Ansip (Estonian pronunciation: Script error: No such module "IPA".; born 1 October 1956) is an Estonian politician, a member of the European Parliament, the former European Commissioner for Digital Single Market and Vice President of the European Commission, in office from 2014 until 2019. Previously, he was Prime Minister of Estonia from 2005 to 2014 and chairman of the liberal Estonian Reform Party (Estonian: Reformierakond) from 2004 to 2014.

Before his entry into politics Ansip trained as a chemist, before working in banking and business. He entered Parliament in 2004, quickly becoming Minister of Economic Affairs, and subsequently Prime Minister in April 2005. On 1 November 2014, he was appointed to the European Commission.

Early life and business career

Born in Tartu, Ansip graduated from the University of Tartu with a degree in Chemistry in 1979. He worked as an engineer at the university from 1979 to 1983 (with a two-year break for mandatory military service). He was an instructor in the Industry Department and Head of the Organisational Department of the Tartu District Committee of the Soviet Union Communist Party Estonian branch Estonian Communist Party from 1986 to 1988. Ansip has been involved in several banking and investment ventures. He has served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the People's Bank of Tartu (Estonian: Rahvapank), Chairman of the Board of Livonia Privatisation IF, and CEO of Investment Fund Broker Ltd (Estonian: Fondiinvesteeringu Maakler AS). He also has served as Chairman of the board for Radio Tartu.

From 1989 to 1993 Andrus Ansip also managed a Tartu branch of AS Estkompexim.

Relocation of the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn

One of the most controversial actions of Ansip's government was relocation of the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn from a prominent location in the center of Tallinn to the Defence Forces Cemetery of Tallinn adjacent to the city center. The removal of the monument, as well as war graves, from its location on 27 April 2007 led to mass protests and two nights of the worst rioting Estonia has seen since regaining independence.

Personal life

Andrus Ansip is married to gynecologist Anu Ansip (b. 1956) and they have three daughters Reet (b. 1977), who is a stomatologist; Tiina (b. 1981) who is a journalist and Liisa (b. 1997).

Andrus Ansip is a member of the Estonian voluntary home guard organisation Kaitseliit (Defence League) since 10 November 2009.

Awards

  • On 31 July 2007 Ansip was recognized for "his service in fight for Estonian freedom and Estonian national idea" by Estonian Central Council in Canada.
  • Estonian Newspaper Association named Ansip Press Enemy of 2007.
  •  Albania: On 5 April 2010 Received a copy of the key of the city of Tirana on the occasion of his state visit to Albania.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Andrus Ansip para niños

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