Rein Lang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rein Lang
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Rein Lang in 2011.
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| Minister of Culture of Estonia | |
| In office 6 April 2011 – 4 December 2013 |
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| Prime Minister | Andrus Ansip |
| Preceded by | Laine Jänes |
| Succeeded by | Urve Tiidus |
| Minister of Justice of Estonia | |
| In office 12 April 2005 – 6 April 2011 |
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| Prime Minister | Andrus Ansip |
| Preceded by | Ken-Marti Vaher |
| Succeeded by | Kristen Michal |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia | |
| In office 21 February 2005 – 13 April 2005 |
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| Prime Minister | Juhan Parts |
| Preceded by | Kristiina Ojuland |
| Succeeded by | Urmas Paet |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 July 1957 Tartu, Estonia |
| Political party | Reform Party |
Rein Lang was born on July 4, 1957. He is an Estonian politician and a diplomat. He has been a member of the Estonian Reform Party since 1995. Lang served as the Minister of Culture in Andrus Ansip's government until he stepped down from that role.
About Rein Lang
Rein Lang was born in Tartu, Estonia. His father worked at the Soviet Embassy in Helsinki, so Rein spent some of his childhood in Finland. This helped him become very good at speaking Finnish. He has always supported good relationships between Finland and Estonia.
Lang went to school at Tallinn English College. He then studied law at the University of Tartu, graduating in 1980 with high honors. He lives with Ulvi Kuusk, whom he met in 1979, and they have a daughter.
From Media to Politics
Before becoming a politician, Rein Lang worked in the entertainment business. In 1986, he became a deputy director at Linnahall, a large concert and event venue. Later, in 1989, he was a deputy director at the 'Muusik' club.
In the early 1990s, Lang helped start and run the first politically independent radio station in Estonia after the Soviet Union broke apart. This station was called Radio Kuku. He also helped launch two other radio stations: Radio Uuno, which played only music, and Radio Tallinn (later called Radio 100), which broadcast in Russian. In 2002, he and his partner sold their radio businesses.
While working at Radio Kuku, Rein Lang often appeared on talk shows. He became well-known as a political commentator. His weekly show, 'Midday Hour' (Estonian: Keskpäevatund), was very popular. Another popular show he hosted was 'Of the state of the state' (Estonian: Olukorrast riigis).
Serving in Government
After leaving the media world, Lang entered politics. From 2001 to 2003, he served as the deputy mayor of Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia. He was then elected as a member of the Riigikogu, which is the Estonian Parliament, serving from 2003 to 2005. During this time, he was also the Deputy Speaker of the Riigikogu and led its European Affairs Committee.
In 2005, Rein Lang briefly served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for about two months. After a change in government, he became the Minister of Justice on April 12, 2005. In this role, he worked on important projects related to Estonia's constitution. From May to June 2009, he also served as the acting Minister of the Interior.
