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 (born 4 July 1957) is an Estonian politician and diplomat. He has been a member of the Estonian Reform Party since 1995. Lang served as the Minister of Culture in Andrus Ansip's third cabinet before he resigned.
Early Life and Education
Rein Lang was born in Tartu, Estonia. His father worked at the Soviet embassy in Helsinki. Because of this, Rein Lang spent part 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 in Tallinn. He attended Tallinn English College, which was then known as the 7th High School of Tallinn. Later, he studied law at the University of Tartu. He graduated in 1980 with high honors.
Career in Media
Before becoming a politician, Rein Lang worked in the entertainment business. This started in 1986, during the later years of the Soviet Union. He was a deputy director at Linnahall, a large event venue. In 1989, he became a deputy director at a club called 'Muusik'.
In 1990, Lang became the CEO of AS Laulusillad. From 1991 to 2001, he worked with Hans H. Luik at AS Trio LSL. Together, they started Radio Kuku, which was the first politically independent radio station in Estonia after the Soviet era.
Over the next few years, Lang helped launch two more radio stations. These were Radio Uuno, which played only music, and Radio Tallinn. Radio Tallinn was a Russian language station, later renamed Radio 100. In 2002, Lang and Luik sold their radio businesses. They sold them to their partner from the United States, Metromedia International Group Inc..
During his time at Radio Kuku, Rein Lang was a regular guest 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).
Political Career
After leaving the media world, Rein Lang entered politics. From 2001 to 2003, he served as the deputy mayor of Tallinn. He then became a member of the Riigikogu, which is the Estonian parliament, from 2003 to 2005. In the Riigikogu, he was the Deputy Speaker. He also chaired the European Affairs Committee.
In 2005, Lang became the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He held this position for about two months, from February to April. When Juhan Parts, who was the prime minister at the time, resigned, a new government was formed.
In the new government led by Andrus Ansip, Lang became the Minister of Justice. He officially took on this role on 12 April 2005. He served as the Minister of Justice until April 2011. From May to June 2009, he also acted as the Minister of the Interior.
Later, from April 2011 to December 2013, Rein Lang served as the Minister of Culture.
