Jürgen Ligi

Jürgen Ligi (* July 16, 1959 in Tartu) is an Estonian politician. He was from 2005 to 2007 and Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia. Since April 2011 he has been the Estonian Minister of Finance. He belongs to the liberal Estonian Reform Party.

Life and Politics

After finishing school in Tartu in 1977 Ligi studied geography at the State University of Tartu. In 1982 he completed his studies. From 1982 to 1989 he was employed as an economist at a planned economic institute. From 1989 to 1993 he also studied foreign trade at the University of Tartu. From 1989 to 1995 Ligi has held various posts at the Commerce and Industry Chamber, the municipality of Kaarma ( Saaremaa ) and in banking before joining active politics. In 1994, he joined the Estonian Reform Party ( Eesti Reformierakond ).

From 1995 to 2005 Ligi was a member of the Estonian Parliament ( Riigikogu ) for the Estonian Reform Party. From October 2005 to April 2007 Ligi was Estonian Minister of Defence in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Andrus Ansip. He advocated the idea of ​​the abolition of conscription, without being able to prevail. After leaving the Cabinet Ligi changed again as an MP in the Estonian parliament, where he was also Chairman of the Finance Committee.

After the end of May 2009, leaving the government of Prime Minister Andrus Ansip, the Social Democrats, Ligi on 3 June by President ( Ilves ) has been appointed as the successor of Ivari Padar (SDE ) as the new finance minister. He resigned the office on the following day.

Since March 2014 Ligi has held the same office in the social-liberal coalition government under Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas.

Private life

Jürgen Ligi is married and has two sons.