List of mayors of Tallinn facts for kids

Tallinn is the capital city of Estonia. Like many big cities, Tallinn has a leader called a mayor. A mayor is like the main boss of the city. They help make important decisions about how the city runs, like managing schools, public transport, and parks.

This article lists the people who have been mayors of Tallinn over many years. Before 1918, Tallinn was often called Reval, especially by German speakers.

Who Are the Mayors of Tallinn?

Mayors are important leaders who help guide a city. They work with a team to make sure the city's services are good and that people have what they need. Over time, the title of the city's leader has changed a bit, from "Mayor" to "Lord Mayor" or even "Chairman of the Executive Committee" during different historical periods.

Early Mayors: From the 1700s to the Early 1900s

The first official mayor of Tallinn was Wilhelm Hetling, who started in 1786. For a long time, many of the city's leaders were called "Mayor" or sometimes "Deputy Mayor." A Deputy Mayor helps the main mayor and can take over if the mayor is away.

• Wilhelm Hetling (April 1786 – November 1796)

* He was the very first mayor of Tallinn.

• Oscar Arthur von Riesemann (December 1877 – April 1878)
• Alexander Rudolf Karl von Uexküll (April 1878 – June 1883)
• Wilhelm Greiffenhagen (June 1883 – August 1885)
• Viktor von Maydell (August – December 1885, as Deputy Mayor; December 1885 – July 1894, as Mayor)
• Eduard Ernst Bätke (July 1894 – April 1895)

* He served as a Deputy Mayor.

• Karl Johann von Hueck (April 1895 – February 1905)
• Erast Hiatsintov (February – December 1905)
• Eugen Edmund Eduard Erbe (December 1905 – May 1906)

* He was a Deputy Mayor.

• Voldemar Lender (May 1906 – August 1913)

* He was the first mayor of Tallinn who was an Estonian. This was a big step for the local people.

• Jaan Poska (August 1913 – April 1917)
• Gavriil Beljagin (April – September 1917)

* He was a Deputy Mayor.

• Voldemar Vöölmann (September 1917 – March 1918)

* His title was "Chairman of City Government."

• Erhard Arnold Julius Dehio (March – November 1918)

* He was called the "Lord Mayor" (Oberbürgermeister).

• Alexander Riesenkampff (March – November 1918)

* He was the "Second Mayor" during this time.

• Aleksander Pallas (November 1918)

* He was a temporary Deputy Mayor for a short time.

Mayors During Independent Estonia and World War II

After Estonia became independent, the role of mayor continued to be very important. During World War II, the leadership of the city changed hands several times.

• Aleksander Hellat (November 1918 – May 1919)
• Anton Uesson (May – June 1919, as Deputy Mayor; July 1919 – April 1934, as Mayor)

* He served two times, once as Deputy and then for a long time as Mayor.

• Gottlieb Ast (June – July 1919)
• Jaan Soots (April 1934 – December 1939)

* From May 1938, his title changed to "Lord Mayor."

• Aleksander Tõnisson (December 1939 – July 1940)

* He was also a "Lord Mayor."

• Aleksander Kiidelmaa (July 1940 – January 1941)
• Kristjan Seaver (January – August 1941)

* He was the "Chairman of Executive Committee" and belonged to the Communist Party.

• Artur Terras (August 1941 – September 1944)

* He held different titles during this period: "Mayor," then "Lord Mayor," and finally "First Mayor."

Chairmen of the Executive Committee (Soviet Era)

After World War II, Estonia became part of the Soviet Union. During this time, the city's leader was called the "Chairman of the Executive Committee" instead of Mayor. Many of these leaders were part of the Communist Party.

• Aleksander Kiidelmaa (September 1944 – February 1945)

* He was also a member of the Communist Party.

• Ado Kurvits (February – September 1945)

* Communist Party member.

• Aleksander Hendrikson (September 1945 – March 1961)

* Communist Party member.

• Johannes Undusk (March 1961 – June 1971)

* Communist Party member.

• Ivar Kallion (June 1971 – July 1979)

* Communist Party member.

• Albert Norak (July 1979 – December 1984)

* Communist Party member.

• Harri Lumi (December 1984 – January 1990)

* Communist Party member.

Mayors of Modern Independent Estonia

When Estonia became independent again in the early 1990s, the city's leader once again became known as the "Mayor." Since then, many different people have held this important role, helping Tallinn grow and change into the modern city it is today.

• Hardo Aasmäe (January 1990 – April 1992)

* He was part of the Popular Front political movement.

• Jaak Tamm (April 1992 – October 1996)

* From the Coalition Party.

• Priit Vilba (October – November 1996)

* From the Reform Party.

• Robert Lepikson (November 1996 – May 1997)

* From the Coalition Party.

• Ivi Eenmaa (May 1997 – March 1999)

* From the Coalition Party.

• Peeter Lepp (March – October 1999)

* From the Centre Party.

• Jüri Mõis (November 1999 – May 2001)

* From the Pro Patria party.

• Tõnis Palts (June – December 2001)

* From the Pro Patria party.

• Edgar Savisaar (December 2001 – October 2004)

* From the Centre Party.

• Tõnis Palts (October 2004 – November 2005)

* This was his second time as mayor, this time from the Res Publica Party.

• Jüri Ratas (November 2005 – April 2007)

* From the Centre Party.

• Edgar Savisaar (April 2007 – November 2017)

* He served a second long term as mayor, from the Centre Party.

• Taavi Aas (November 2017 – April 2019)

* From the Centre Party.

• Mihhail Kõlvart (April 2019 – March 2024)

* From the Centre Party.

• Jevgeni Ossinovski (April 2024 – present)

* He is the current mayor, from the Social Democrat party.

See also

• Timeline of Tallinn