Siim Kallas
Siim Kallas | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 2, 1948 Estonia |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, Economist |
| Years active | 1969–2024 |
| Known for | Prime Minister of Estonia, European Commissioner, President of Bank of Estonia |
Siim Kallas (; born 2 October 1948) is a former Estonian politician who has held prominent positions including Prime Minister of Estonia and membership in the European Commission.
Between 1972 and 1990, Kallas was affiliated with the CPSU and worked within the finance ministry of the Estonian SSR, overseeing the Estonian division of the State Labor Savings Banks System of the USSR from 1986 until 1989. In 1987, he was a co-author of the IME plan, which advocated for Estonia’s economic autonomy from the Soviet Union by establishing a market-based economy and creating an independent currency. From 1989 to 1991, he served as chief editor of the newspaper Rahva Hääl and was elected to the Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union in 1989, marking participation in the USSR’s inaugural partially free elections.
Following Estonia’s restoration of independence in 1991, Kallas assumed the presidency of the Bank of Estonia, where he spearheaded its reorganization and facilitated the reintroduction of Estonia’s national currency, the Kroon, in 1992.
In 1994, he co-established the liberal Estonian Reform Party. After their electoral success in 1995, Kallas held several ministerial posts: Minister of Foreign Affairs (1995–1996), subsequently Minister of Finance (1999–2002), and later served as Prime Minister from 2002 to 2003.
Within the European Commission, Kallas undertook significant responsibilities: he was European Commissioner for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud between 2004 and 2009, then European Commissioner for Transport from 2010 to 2014, while also acting as Vice-President under President Barroso. In transitional phases during 2014, he twice fulfilled duties as European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs.
After departing from the Commission, Kallas unsuccessfully contested the Estonian presidential election in 2016. Beginning in 2017, he served as mayor of Viimsi Parish and secured election to the Riigikogu in both 2019 and 2023. He officially retired from political life in September 2024.
His daughter, Kaja Kallas, held office as Prime Minister of Estonia from 2021 through 2024.
Education
- 1966–1969, 1972–1974: Specialized in Budget and Finance at University of Tartu
- (1969–1972: Junior Sergeant in Soviet Armed Forces Corps of Signals)
- 1974–1977: Studied Economics with focus on environmental protection at University of Tartu; earned Candidate of Sciences degree
Career
- 1969–1972: Signals officer in Soviet Army
- 1975–1979: Specialist at Finance Ministry Planning Committee, Estonian SSR
- 1979–1986: Joint Secretary at Central Authority of Savings Banks, Estonian SSR
- 1986–1989: Deputy chief editor for Communist Party of Estonia’s newspaper Rahva Hääl
- 1989–1991: Chairman of Central Union of Estonian Trade Unions
- 1989–1991: Delegate to Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union
- 1991–1995: President of Bank of Estonia
- 1995–2004: Member of Parliament of Estonia
- 1995–1996: Minister of Foreign Affairs
- 1996: Chairman, Committee of Ministers at Council of Europe
- 1999–2002: Minister of Finance
- 2002–2003: Prime Minister
- 2004: European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs (shared with Joaquín Almunia)
- 2004–2010: European Commissioner for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud; Vice-President of European Commission
- 2010–2014: European Commissioner for Transport; Vice-President of European Commission
- 2017–2019: Mayor of Viimsi
- 2019–2024: Member of Riigikogu
Personal life
Siim Kallas' grandfather, Eduard Alver, played a significant role in establishing the Republic of Estonia in 1918. He also served as the Commander of the Estonian Defence League during the War of Independence and was appointed as the first head of the Estonian Police. Kallas is fluent in Estonian, English, Russian, Finnish, and German. His heritage includes Estonian roots along with distant Baltic German lineage.
He is married to Dr. Kristi Kallas, who experienced deportation to Siberia during the Soviet-era forced relocations when she was a child. Together, they have two children: a son and a daughter. Their daughter, Kaja Kallas, has been the leader of the Reform Party and held the position of Prime Minister of Estonia from 2021 until 2024.