Kristen Michal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kristen Michal
Michal in 2024
20th Prime Minister of Estonia
Incumbent
Assumed office 23 July 2024
President	Alar Karis
Preceded by	Kaja Kallas
Leader of the Estonian Reform Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 8 September 2024
Preceded by	Kaja Kallas
Minister of Climate
In office 17 April 2023 – 23 July 2024
Prime Minister	Kaja Kallas
Preceded by	Madis Kallas
Succeeded by	Yoko Alender
Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure
In office 9 April 2015 – 23 November 2016
Prime Minister	Taavi Rõivas
Preceded by	Urve Palo
Succeeded by	Kadri Simson
Minister of Justice
In office 6 April 2011 – 10 December 2012
Prime Minister	Andrus Ansip
Preceded by	Rein Lang
Succeeded by	Hanno Pevkur
Member of the Riigikogu
In office 12 May 2004 – 17 April 2023
Personal details
Born	(1975-07-12) 12 July 1975 (age 50) Tallinn, Estonia
Political party	Reform (since 1996)
Spouse	Evelin Oras
Children	3
Alma mater	Academy Nord

Kristen Michal (born 12 July 1975) is an Estonian politician. He became the Prime Minister of Estonia on July 23, 2024. He is a member of the Reform Party. Michal took over from Kaja Kallas, who moved to a big job in the European Union. Before becoming Prime Minister, Michal served as a minister in different government roles. He was the Minister of Justice from 2011 to 2012. He also served as the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure from 2015 to 2016. Most recently, he was the Minister of Climate from 2023 to 2024.

Early Life and Education

Kristen Michal was born in Tallinn, Estonia, on July 12, 1975. He studied law at Academy Nord and finished his degree in 2009. After that, he started studying for his master's degree in law at Tallinn University's Law School in 2009.

Kristen Michal's Journey in Politics

Early Roles and Parliament

Kristen Michal started working with the Reform Party in 1996. He was an advisor for the party in various roles until 2002. In 2002, he became an advisor to the Prime Minister at the time, Siim Kallas. For one year, from 2002 to 2003, Michal served as the Elder of the Tallinn City Centre. This is an administrative role in the city.

In 2003, he was chosen as the secretary general of the Reform Party. He held this important position until 2011. Michal was also a member of the Riigikogu, which is the Estonian Parliament. He served in Parliament from 2005 to 2011 and again from 2012 to 2015.

Serving as a Minister

On April 6, 2011, Kristen Michal was appointed as the Minister of Justice. He took over this role from another Reform Party member, Rein Lang.

In May 2012, there were some public questions raised about the Reform Party's funding. Kristen Michal, along with Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, denied these claims. An anti-corruption group from the Council of Europe visited Estonia to look into the matter. On July 31, 2012, the Estonian State Prosecutor's Office announced that Michal was part of an investigation related to these questions. Michal stated that he would resign if he was found to have done anything wrong. The investigation ended on October 15, 2012, and no evidence of wrongdoing was found.

Michal's time as Minister of Justice ended on December 10, 2012, when he resigned from the position. Hanno Pevkur took over as Minister of Justice. From April 9, 2015, to November 23, 2016, Michal served as the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure.

Becoming Prime Minister

On June 29, 2024, the Reform Party chose Kristen Michal to become the next Prime Minister. This happened after Kaja Kallas was appointed to a new role in the European Union. Kristen Michal's new government, called Kristen Michal's cabinet, officially started its work on July 23, 2024. The 14 ministers in his cabinet were sworn in before the Riigikogu.

Personal Life

Kristen Michal has been with his partner, Evelin Oras, since the mid-2000s. Evelin Oras is a political advisor. They have three children together.

See also

In Spanish: Kristen Michal para niños