Tiit Vähi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tiit Vähi
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Vähi in 2016
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| 11th Prime Minister of Estonia | |
| In office 17 April 1995 – 17 March 1997 |
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| President | Lennart Meri |
| Preceded by | Andres Tarand |
| Succeeded by | Mart Siimann |
| 2nd Prime Minister of the Interim Government | |
| In office 29 January 1992 – 21 October 1992 |
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| President | Arnold Rüütel as Chairman of the Supreme Council Lennart Meri |
| Preceded by | Edgar Savisaar |
| Succeeded by | Mart Laar as Prime Minister |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 January 1947 Kaagjärve Parish, Valga County, Estonia |
| Political party | Estonian Coalition Party |
| Alma mater | Tallinn Technical University |
Tiit Vähi (born 10 January 1947) is an important Estonian politician. He served as the Prime Minister of Estonia twice. His first time as prime minister was in 1992, leading a temporary government. Later, he was the official Prime Minister from 1995 to 1997.
Contents
Tiit Vähi's Journey
Early Life and Education
Tiit Vähi was born in Kaagjärve Parish, Estonia. He studied engineering at the Tallinn Technical University. After finishing his studies, he worked in top management roles. He was with the Valga Trucking Company until 1992.
Helping Estonia Become Independent
During the time Estonia was working to regain its independence, Tiit Vähi played a big part. He helped organize the Estonian Popular Front. This was a large group of people who wanted Estonia to be free. He led their local group in Valga County.
In 1989, he became the Minister of Transport and Communications. He held this job until January 1992. As Transport Minister, he worked closely with other Nordic countries. He also made transport relations better with the other two Baltic States. He helped transfer control of Estonia's airports, railways, and sea ports from Moscow to Estonian authorities.
After Estonia became independent again in 1991, Vähi was given a special job. He was sent to north-eastern Estonia. This area had many people of Russian background.
First Time as Prime Minister
On January 29, 1992, Tiit Vähi became the second Prime Minister of Estonia after the Soviet Union ended. He took over from Edgar Savisaar. During this first time as prime minister, he started a big plan. He wanted to change Estonia's economy. It used to be a centrally planned economy, where the government controlled everything. He aimed to make it a free market economy, where businesses and people have more freedom.
His government also introduced Estonia's own money, the Kroon, in June 1992. He also created the Estonian Privatisation Agency. This agency helped sell government-owned businesses to private companies.
When he became prime minister in this temporary government, it was agreed that he would not run in the next election. So, he did not take part in the parliamentary elections on September 20, 1992.
Leading Estonia Again
In 1993, Tiit Vähi was chosen to lead the Estonian Coalition Party. In March 1995, his party and the People's Union of Estonia won the parliamentary elections. Because he was the leader of the Estonian Coalition Party, President Lennart Meri asked him to form a new government.
He became Prime Minister for the second time on April 17, 1995. He formed a government with his party and the Estonian Centre Party.
His second time as prime minister was a bit difficult. In October 1995, some ministers left the government. This caused the Estonian Centre Party to leave the team. On November 7, 1995, Vähi formed a new government. This time, he worked with the Estonian Reform Party.
This partnership did not last long. On November 20, 1996, six ministers, including the Foreign Minister Siim Kallas, resigned. This ended the cooperation between the Coalition Party and the Reform Party.
On December 1, 1996, Vähi formed the government again. This time, he only used members from his own party. This made it harder for his government to stay in power. On February 7, 1995, he survived a vote where people tried to remove him from office. The vote was very close, 46 to 45. Feeling pressure from his own party, he resigned on February 25, 1997.
Three days later, on February 27, President Lennart Meri named Mart Siimann as the new prime minister.
Life After Politics
By 2001, the Estonian Coalition Party, which Vähi had helped create, was no longer active. This party had led the Estonian government from 1995 to 1999.
Today, Tiit Vähi is a member of the Reform Party. However, he is not actively involved in politics. He has focused on his career as a businessman. He has also shared his opinion that Estonia should improve its relationship with Russia.
