Kristen Michal (; born 12 July 1975) is an

Estonia Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country in Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland across from Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea across from Sweden, to the south by Latvia, and to the east by Ru ...

n politician who has served as

prime minister of Estonia The prime minister of Estonia () is the head of government of the Estonia, Republic of Estonia. The prime minister is nominated by the President of Estonia, president after appropriate consultations with the parliamentary factions and confirmed ...

since 23 July 2024. A member of the Reform Party, he succeeded Kaja Kallas, who was appointed EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Michal previously served as

minister of justice A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice, is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a ...

from 2011 to 2012, minister of economic affairs and infrastructure from 2015 to 2016, as well as minister of climate from 2023 to 2024.

Early life and education

Michal was born in

Tallinn Tallinn is the capital city, capital and List of cities in Estonia, most populous city of Estonia. Situated on a Tallinn Bay, bay in north Estonia, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea, it has a population of (as of 2025) and ...

on 12 July 1975. He studied law at Academy Nord and graduated in 2009. He has been pursuing master's study in law at

Tallinn University Tallinn University (TLU; , ''TLÜ'') is a public research university in Estonia. Located in the centre of Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, Tallinn University is one of the three largest institutions of higher education in the country. Both QS ...

's Law School since 2009.

Political career

Michal worked as an advisor at different levels for the Reform Party from 1996 to 2002. He became an advisor to then prime minister

Siim Kallas Siim Kallas (; born 2 October 1948) is an Estonian former politician, having served as Prime Minister of Estonia and European Commissioner. From 1972-90 Kallas was a member of the CPSU (Communist Party of the Soviet Union). In 1987, Kallas was ...

in 2002. Michal served as the Elder of the Tallinn City Centre for one year (2002–2003). In 2003, he was named as the secretary general of the Reform Party and held this post until 2011. Michal has been a member of the

Riigikogu The Riigikogu (, from Estonian ''riigi-'', "of the state", and ''kogu'', "assembly") is the unicameral parliament of Estonia. In addition to approving legislation, the Parliament appoints high officials, including the prime minister and chi ...

from 2005 to 2011 and from 2012 to 2015. He was appointed

Minister of Justice A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice, is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a ...

on 6 April 2011, replacing another Reform Party member Rein Lang. In May 2012, Michal was at the centre of accusations by Silver Meikar, a Reform Party member and a former member of the Riigikogu, that the Reform Party has been receiving donations from dubious sources for years. Both Michal and Prime Minister Andrus Ansip denied these allegations. Delegates from the Council of Europe's GRECO anti-corruption watchdog visited the country in June 2012 to investigate the accusations. On 31 July 2012, the Estonian State Prosecutor's Office announced that Michal and Kalev Lillo, another Reform Party member, were suspects in this case and that both had been interrogated. Michal was investigated on accusations of

money laundering Money laundering is the process of illegally concealing the origin of money obtained from illicit activities (often known as dirty money) such as drug trafficking, sex work, terrorism, corruption, and embezzlement, and converting the funds i ...

and illegal party financing. On 10 September 2012, the first day of parliamentary session, the Social Democratic Party's faction started a petition process for the resignation of Michal through a vote of no confidence. However, petition failed on 19 September 2012 when the party gave up the process. Michal announced that if he would be found guilty, he would resign from his post. The Estonian State Prosecutor's Office closed the case on 15 October 2012 without finding evidence of wrongdoing. Michal's term as Minister of Justice ended on 10 December 2012, when he resigned from office. He was replaced in that office by Hanno Pevkur. From 9 April 2015 to 23 November 2016, Michal served as the minister of economic affairs and infrastructure. On 29 June 2024, Michal was nominated by the Reform Party to replace Kaja Kallas as

Prime Minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...

following the latter's appointment as

High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission (HR/VP) is the chief co-ordinator and representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) within the European Un ...

of the

European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are Geography of the European Union, located primarily in Europe. The u ...

. Kristen Michal's cabinet took office on 23 July 2024, after the 14 ministers were sworn in before the Riigikogu.

Personal life

Michal and his partner Evelin Oras, a political advisor, have been together since the mid 2000s. They have three children.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Michal, Kristen 1975 births 21st-century Estonian lawyers Estonian Reform Party politicians Government ministers of Estonia Justice ministers of Estonia Living people Members of the Riigikogu, 2003–2007 Members of the Riigikogu, 2007–2011 Members of the Riigikogu, 2011–2015 Members of the Riigikogu, 2015–2019 Members of the Riigikogu, 2019–2023 Members of the Riigikogu, 2023–2027 Politicians from Tallinn Tallinn University alumni Prime ministers of Estonia