Jüri Ratas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jüri Ratas
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Official portrait, 2024
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| 18th Prime Minister of Estonia | |
| In office 23 November 2016 – 26 January 2021 |
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| President | Kersti Kaljulaid |
| Preceded by | Taavi Rõivas |
| Succeeded by | Kaja Kallas |
| President of the Riigikogu | |
| In office 18 March 2021 – 10 April 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Henn Põlluaas |
| Succeeded by | Lauri Hussar |
| Leader of the Centre Party | |
| In office 5 November 2016 – 10 September 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Edgar Savisaar |
| Succeeded by | Mihhail Kõlvart |
| Mayor of Tallinn | |
| In office 15 November 2005 – 5 April 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Tõnis Palts |
| Succeeded by | Edgar Savisaar |
| Member of the Riigikogu | |
| In office 2 April 2007 – 15 July 2024 |
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| Constituency | Tallinn |
| Member of the European Parliament for Estonia |
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| Assumed office 16 July 2024 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 July 1978 Tallinn, Estonia |
| Political party | Centre (2000–2024) Isamaa (since 2024) |
| Spouse | Karin Ratas |
| Children | 4 |
| Parent |
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| Alma mater | Tallinn University of Technology |
Jüri Ratas (born 2 July 1978) is an Estonian politician. He was the prime minister of Estonia from 2016 to 2021. He also led the Centre Party from 2016 to 2023. Before that, he was the mayor of Tallinn from 2005 to 2007. In 2024, Ratas joined the Isamaa party.
As prime minister, Jüri Ratas led two governments. His first government was in power from 2016 to 2019. His second government lasted from 2019 to 2021. During his time as prime minister, Estonia's national budget started spending more money than it collected. This meant the budget went into a deficit after many years of having extra money.
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Early Career and Public Service
Jüri Ratas served as the vice-president of the Riigikogu, which is Estonia's parliament, from 2007 to 2016. He became the Mayor of Tallinn when he was 27 years old, serving from 2005 to 2007. As mayor, he started the idea for the European Green Capital Award program. This program encourages cities to be more environmentally friendly.
In the 2015 Estonian parliamentary election, Ratas was chosen again to be a member of parliament. He received many votes from people. In March 2015, he was elected as a deputy speaker of the Riigikogu.
On 5 November 2016, Ratas was chosen to be the new leader of the Centre Party. He took over from Edgar Savisaar. After the previous government broke apart, the Centre Party, Social Democratic Party, and Pro Patria and Res Publica Union started talking about forming a new government.
Time as Prime Minister
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On 19 November 2016, the three parties agreed to form a government. Jüri Ratas became the prime minister of Estonia on 23 November.
After the 2019 Estonian parliamentary election, Ratas decided not to form a government with the party that won the most votes. Instead, he talked with the Isamaa party and the EKRE party. On 17 April 2019, the Riigikogu allowed Ratas to form his second government and continue as Prime Minister.
In January 2021, Ratas resigned as prime minister. He stated that he was taking political responsibility for a situation involving his party. He remained in charge of the government until a new one was formed. On 25 January 2021, Kaja Kallas formed a new government. Jüri Ratas was later succeeded by Lauri Hussar as the president of the Riigikogu on 10 April 2023.
Changing Political Parties
On 29 January 2024, Jüri Ratas announced that he was leaving the Centre Party. He decided to join the Isamaa party. He explained that he had different values from the new leader of the Centre Party, Mihhail Kõlvart.
Personal Life
Jüri Ratas was born in Tallinn, Estonia. His father, Rein Ratas, was also a politician. Jüri Ratas went to secondary school in Nõmme. He studied Business Management and Economic Sciences at Tallinn University of Technology. He also has a degree in Law from the University of Tartu.
Ratas is married and has four children: one daughter and three sons.
He considers himself a person of faith. Besides Estonian, Ratas speaks English well. He also understands Russian, Swedish, and Portuguese. He started learning Russian in early 2017.
His hobbies include playing chess, reading books, and horse riding.
Awards and Recognition
Estonian Awards
Estonia: He received the Order of the National Coat of Arms, 2nd class, on 23 February 2021.
International Awards
Latvia: He was given the Grand Officer of the Order of the Three Stars on 8 April 2019.
Netherlands: He received the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau on 12 June 2018.
Ukraine: He became a Member 2nd Class of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise on 21 October 2022.
See also
In Spanish: Jüri Ratas para niños
