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91-522: Kaja Kallas ( Estonian: [ˈkɑjɑ ˈkɑlːɑs] ; born 18 June 1977) is an Estonian politician and diplomat. She was the first female prime minister of Estonia , a role she held from 2021 until 2024, when she resigned in advance of her appointment as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy . The leader of the Estonian Reform Party since 2018, she

182-527: A European Commissioner from 2004 to 2014. Her mother, Kristi Kallas, née Kartus, is a physician. Kallas has an elder brother, Ülo Kallas, a financial executive. Kallas' paternal great-grandfather, Eduard Alver (1886–1939), a lawyer, was the commander of the Estonian Defence League during the Estonian War of Independence from 1918 to 1920 and also served as the head of the country's police and

273-715: A New Deal for Energy Consumers, legislation on Custom infringements and sanctions, and the own-initiative report on the Digital Single Market. During her time in Parliament, she was also nominated as a European Young Leader (EYL40). At the end of her term, she was cited by Politico as one of the 40 most influential MEPs, and one of the most powerful women in Brussels, who was highlighted for her understanding of technological issues. In November 2018, Kallas published her memoir MEP: 4 aastat Euroopa Parlamendis ( MEP: Four Years in

364-678: A banker and investor. Hallik has two children from a previous relationship. Apart from her native Estonian , Kallas is fluent in English, Finnish, Russian and French. Since 2020, Kallas has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Friends of Europe. Additionally, she is a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations , an advisory board member of the Women Economic Forum , and a patron of

455-743: A head of government whose position called the State Elder ( riigivanem ) and there was no separate head of state . This system was a radically parliamentary system because the State Elder could be dismissed by the Riigikogu with a simple majority. Moreover, the State Elder was not the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, nor could they ratify laws or dissolve the Riigikogu. The dissolution of Parliament

546-509: A leading pro-Ukrainian voice in the war, with the New Statesman calling her "Europe's New Iron Lady". She also strongly supported the admission of Ukraine to the European Union , saying that there was "a moral duty" to do so. In April 2022, she warned against "peace at any price" with Russia. On 3 June 2022, Kallas dismissed all Centre Party ministers, after the Centre Party had sided with

637-513: A number of protected areas in Harju County. Lahemaa National Park was the first national park in the Soviet Union , when it was created in 1971. The park was intended for the protection of the natural and cultural heritage of the coastal landscapes of Northern Estonia. There are 21 nature reserves and 25 landscape protection areas, that are at least partly situated in Harju County. The largest

728-519: A possible Russian invasion, pending German approval as the howitzers were originally purchased from Germany. When Germany delayed in giving an answer, Estonia sent American-made Javelin anti-tank missiles instead in the first weeks of February 2022. Following Russia's recognition of the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics, Kallas demanded that the European Union introduce sanctions on Russia. Kallas

819-556: A proportion of GDP per capita than any other country in the world. In September 2022, in the context of a plan by three other bordering nations to restrict Russian tourists, she said: "Travel to the European Union is a privilege, not a human right." She added that it was "unacceptable that citizens of the aggressor state are able to freely travel in the EU, whilst at the same time people in Ukraine are being tortured and murdered." In February 2023, Kallas

910-519: A single euro, dollar or ruble " was spent in Russia as part of the activity. Media reported that Kallas had provided an undeclared €350,000 loan to her husband shortly after visiting Metaprint as prime minister in January 2022. Stark Logistics seconded Kallas's claim that the company's dealings in Russia were to assist an Estonian client end their production in the country, and that their work did not contribute to

1001-486: A town within the municipality of Tallinn in 1980. Maardu and Saue were separated from Tallinn in 1991 and Kehra, Loksa and Saue were given town status in 1993. The central administration of Tallinn was abolished and the town was re-transferred into Harju County. Its urban raions were abolished in 1993 and replaced with eight modern districts. Ancient Estonian counties were divided into parishes ( Estonian language : kihelkond ), that became centered on local churches from

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1092-452: A transport service to a company operating in Russia since the beginning of the invasion. Kallas later admitted to her husband's share in the company, but denied wrongdoing on the part of herself or her husband and stated that the company's business in Russia was to assist an Estonian client, identified by the Estonian media as the company Metaprint, end its production in Russia, adding that "not

1183-589: Is Harju Elu . The County Government ( Estonian : Maavalitsus ) is led by a governor ( Estonian : maavanem ), who is appointed by the Government of Estonia for a term of five years. Since 2009 the Governor position has been held by Ülle Rajasalu . Harju County received municipal functions on 30 March 1917. Members of the Harju County Council were elected by the delegates of county municipalities and

1274-627: Is Paunküla Reservoir (4.1 km (1.6 sq mi)) in Kose Parish . The longest rivers are the Keila River (107 km (66 mi) in total), Pirita River (105 km (65 mi)), Jägala River (97 km (60 mi)) and Valgejõgi River (85 km (53 mi)). The two largest permanently active waterfalls in Estonia, Jägala Falls (8 m (26 ft)) and Keila Falls (6 m (20 ft)), are situated on these rivers. There are

1365-440: Is a transatlanticist and was frequently named as a potential candidate to succeed Jens Stoltenberg as Secretary General of NATO , a role she has expressed interest in. Kallas condemned Hamas ' actions during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war and expressed her support to Israel and its right to self-defence, but added that Israel "must do so in a way that spares innocent lives and adheres to the norms of international law." She said

1456-666: Is a subdistrict in Kesklinn (central) district of Tallinn. Pakri islands (six inhabitants) are part of Paldiski. Koipsi and Rammu form uninhabited villages within Jõelähtme Parish . The largest lakes in Harju County are Lake Ülemiste (9.6 km (3.7 sq mi)) and Lake Harku (1.6 km (0.62 sq mi)) in Tallinn and Lake Kahala (3.5 km (1.4 sq mi)) in Kuusalu Parish . The largest artificial lake

1547-522: Is estimated to become operational in 2024. Harju County and Estonia are serviced by Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport , which is open to both domestic and international flights. The Tallinn Linnahall Heliport offers international flights to Helsinki , Finland . Tallinn Passenger Port or the Old City Harbour served 8.84 million passengers in 2012 on lines to Helsinki , Stockholm and St. Petersburg . Transport to Kelnase Harbour on Prangli Island

1638-737: Is now Tallinn, and Harjumaa , which was situated south of Revala and presently rests mostly in Rapla County . Lindanise, then a small trading post at the Gulf of Finland , served as the capital of Revala. It eventually grew into the mostly German-populated Hanseatic town of Reval and later into the Estonian capital, Tallinn. In 1219, the Danish King, Valdemar II , landed in Lindanise ( Danish : Lyndanisse ) and conquered both Revala and Harju counties, while

1729-736: Is provided from Leppneeme Harbour in Viimsi Parish and to Naissaar Island from Tallinn Lennusadam Harbour. Seasonal transport to Aegna Island is provided from Tallinn Kalasadam Harbour. The biggest cargo port is Muuga Harbour in Maardu and Viimsi Parish . Other large ports include Paldiski North Harbour and Paldiski South Harbour, Miiduranna Harbour in Viimsi Parish and Bekkeri-Meeruse Port , Hundipea Harbour, Lennusadama Harbour, Paljassaare Harbour, Patarei Harbour, Peetri Harbour and Vene-Balti Port in Tallinn. The official newspaper of Harju County

1820-702: Is the Põhja-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve in Kuusalu Parish and Anija Parish . The Harju County highway system is determined by roads leading out from Tallinn . Paldiski - Tallinn - St Petersburg line was opened as the first line in Estonia in 1870. Today, Elron operates both commuter rail in Harju County and inter-city rail from Tallinn. Important lines include Tallinn- Narva / Tartu through Kehra and Aegviidu , Tallinn- Pärnu / Viljandi through Saku and Tallinn- Paldiski through Saue and Keila . Tallinn- Riisipere line used to be extended to Haapsalu . The Rail Baltic Tallinn- Riga - Warsaw line

1911-716: The 2014 European Parliament election in Estonia , Kallas received 21,498 votes. In the European Parliament, Kallas served on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and was a substitute for the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection . She was a vice-chair of the Delegation to the EU–Ukraine Parliamentary Cooperation Committee as well as a member of the Delegation to

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2002-757: The Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and Delegation for relations with the United States. In addition to her committee assignments, Kallas was a member of the European Parliament (MEP) Intergroup on the Digital Agenda, and was also a vice-chair of the Youth Intergroup. During her period in Parliament, Kallas worked on the Digital Single Market strategy, energy, and consumer policies, and relations with Ukraine. In particular, she defended

2093-566: The Internal Security Service . During Operation Priboi on 25-28 March 1949, Kallas' mother, Kristi, six months old at the time, was deported to Siberia with her mother and grandmother. She was allowed to return to Soviet-occupied Estonia in 1959. Apart from Estonian, Kallas patrilineally also has distant Latvian and Baltic German ancestry, as discovered by investigative journalists researching her father's ancestry shortly after his premiership. Kallas attended primary school at

2184-674: The Livonian War , the nobility of North Estonia and the Tallinn Town Council declared loyalty to Sweden . Tallinn and other Swedish-occupied territories gained during warfare were secured by the Treaty of Plyussa . During the Great Northern War , Harju was one of the few regions in Estonia untouched by warfare for a long time. Nonetheless, Harju County was greatly affected by the 1710-1713 Plague that killed more than eighty percent of

2275-499: The Red Army already in 1940 and Pakri Parish had been abolished and merged with Paldiski in 1947. Village councils were renamed "parishes" in 1990–1993. Kehra merged into Anija Parish in 2002, Loksa Parish merged into Kuusalu Parish in 2005 and Kõue Parish merged into Kose Parish in 2013. On 31 December 2021, there were 614,567 people living permanently in Harju county, which

2366-473: The Soviet Union and construction of new districts ( Maardu , Mustamäe , Väike-Õismäe and Lasnamäe ) for Tallinn. Hotel Viru in Tallinn was built in 1972 as the first modern highrise in Estonia. The 1980 Summer Olympics Sailing events were held in Tallinn. The event also brought major construction, such as the seaside road from Central Tallinn to Pirita , renovation projects in Tallinn Old Town and

2457-437: The constitution , the prime minister supervises the work of the government. The prime minister's significance and role in the government, and his or her relations with other ministries often depend on the position of the party led by the prime minister vis-à-vis the coalition partners, and on how much influence the prime minister possesses within one's own party. If the prime minister has a strong position within one's party, and

2548-521: The "Soviet Republic of Soldiers and Fortress-Builders of Naissaar". They were ousted by German forces on 26 February 1918. The Republic of Estonia was proclaimed in Tallinn on 24 February 1918 while German occupation followed on the next day. German rule ended with the November Revolution in Germany. During the Estonian War of Independence , Soviet troops were halted only 40 km east of Tallinn by

2639-416: The 13th century. Modern municipal parishes (Estonian: vald ) were created in the 19th century. They were created within the old parishes, that were still centered on the local church. Soviet rule brought major changes in rural municipalities as local village councils were created throughout 1945. The parishes were abolished with the creation of raions in 1950. Naissaar Parish had been abolished and given to

2730-842: The 1938 Constitution, the position of the Prime Minister was retained, while the head of state was finally renamed the President under a presidential system. The 1992 Constitution after the Soviet occupation reinstated the 1938–1940 positions of Prime Minister and President under a parliamentary system. 6th Prime Minister (in duties of the State Elder) I – M – ERSP RKEI – M – ERSP RKEI – M – ERSP – ELDP RKEI – M – ERSP –( ELDP ) RKEI – M – ERSP – ELDP Harju County The territory of modern Harju County consists mostly of two ancient Estonian counties: Revala , around what

2821-501: The 195 ships, that left Tallinn and Paldiski, 55 were sunk by mines near Juminda Peninsula, killing around 15,000 evacuees. Evacuating Soviet forces destroyed much of the infrastructure and industry around Tallinn. German forces captured Paldiski and Tallinn on 28 August 1941, shooting down the Soviet Flag on Tallinn Pikk Hermann Tower. Estonians replaced it with the Flag of Estonia , but it

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2912-492: The Baltic Sea, including the entire Estonian Swedish population, who had been settling also on Pakri islands in Harju County. The Forest Brothers resistance movement was considered to be the weakest in Harju County, due to dense population, fewer forests and more Soviet military activity. New deportations followed in 1949. The Soviet era brought development of heavy industry, a massive influx of foreign workers from throughout

3003-459: The Estonian state called into question, in its relations with its allies" and fears that it "creates a precedent for the future and affects the reputation of Estonian democracy". Two opinion polls conducted by Norstat and Turu-uuringute AS showed that 57% and 69% of respondents, respectively, thought Kallas should resign due to the scandal. Kallas continued to refuse to resign in September 2023, calling

3094-570: The European Commission . In November 2024, she stated that the People's Republic of China must pay a "higher cost" for its support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine . From 2002 to 2006, Kallas was married to Roomet Leiger . She lived together with former finance minister and businessman Taavi Veskimägi . Kallas and Veskimägi have one son; they separated in 2014. In 2018, she married Arvo Hallik,

3185-506: The European Parliament ), in which she described her life and work in Brussels from 2014 to 2018. On 13 December 2017, the Reform Party leader Hanno Pevkur announced that he would no longer run for the party leadership in January 2018, and suggested that Kallas should run instead. After considering the offer, Kallas announced on 15 December 2017 that she would accept the invitation to run in

3276-606: The Executive Committee of Harju County Soviet became the Executive Committee of Harju District Labour Soviet. The Harju County Government was re-formed in 1990. The Chairs of Harju County Councils, the Heads of County Governments and the County Governors: Harju County has seven settlements with town status : Tallinn , Maardu , Keila , Saue , Paldiski , Kehra and Loksa . All but Kehra are municipal towns ,

3367-647: The Great's Naval Fortress were built in Harju County and its headquarters were in Tallinn. During World War I in 1914, the native population of Naissaar island was expelled from the island and it was turned into a military base. A narrow-gauge railway network was built on the island. Tallinn was the site for the very beginning of the October Revolution when the Estonian Bolshevik Jaan Anvelt took power in Tallinn on 5 November 1917, two days before

3458-860: The Model European Union Tallinn. She is also a mentor of the European Liberal Youth , a member of the European Young Leaders, a MEP ambassor of Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs , a member of the MEP Library Lovers Group, a political member of the European Internet Forum, a member of the extended board of the European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources, a member of the Global Young Leaders , a member of

3549-1230: The North-Estonian coastal plain and the North-Estonian Klint separates the plain from Harju plateau in central and southern Harju County. The forested Kõrvemaa area is situated in eastern Harju County and the West-Estonian plain in western Harju County. The shoreline is mostly low, but is at some places close to the high North-Estonian Klint. The coastal cliff is the highest in Rannamõisa (35 m (115 ft)) and Türisalu (30 m (98 ft)) in Harku Parish , and in three points in Paldiski: Pakri Peninsula (24 m (79 ft)), Leetse (20 m (66 ft)) and Väike-Pakri island (13 m (43 ft)). There are also several long sand beaches, for example Kakumäe , Stroomi in Pelguranna , Pikakari in Paljassaare and Pirita along

3640-463: The Red Army labour battalions or deported to Siberia on 14 June 1941 ( June deportation ). Germany invaded the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941 and Finland declared the Continuation War with the Soviet Union on 25 June 1941. As the Soviet Union retreated, its destruction battalions carried out the scorched-earth tactics. The Erna long-range reconnaissance group was sent from Finland to Northern Estonia on 10 July 1941 to perform reconnaissance of

3731-433: The Republic of Estonia was formed in Tallinn in March 1944 and the last Prime Minister of Estonia Jüri Uluots organized a new government under Otto Tief on 18 September 1944, captured government offices in Tallinn on 20 September 1944, and put the Estonian flag on top of the Pikk Hermann Tower. German forces started Operation Aster to evacuate its 50,000 soldiers and 20,000 civilians through Tallinn and Paldiski . On

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3822-434: The Revolution started in Petrograd . On 9 November 1917, the Bolsheviks took power from Governor Jaan Poska . After the coup, refusing to cooperate with the Estonian Soviet Executive Committee, the Estonian Provincial Assembly ( Estonian : Maanõukogu ) in Tallinn declared sovereignty from the Russian Empire on 28 November 1917. In December 1917, Russian sailors under the leadership of Stepan Maximovich Petrichenko declared

3913-464: The Riigikogu. The incumbent Prime Minister in duties of the State Elder of Estonia Konstantin Päts , staged a self-coup to counter the threat of the Vaps Movement and suspended the full implementation of the 1934 Constitution, not going ahead with elections for the new head of state and suspending the parliament. Päts remained the Prime Minister in duties of the State Elder 1934–1937, and as President-regent ( riigihoidja ) for 1937–1938. According to

4004-408: The Russian economy in any way nor did it violate Estonian law, as Kallas's government had prohibited only state-owned companies from working with Russia. The Estonian media has separately reported that Metaprint sold €17 million worth of goods to Russia between the start of the invasion in February 2022 and November 2022. Hallik's business partner Martti Lemendik later admitted in the Estonian media that

4095-417: The Soviet Union invaded Finland on 30 November 1939, starting the Winter War . During 1939–1940, most of the Baltic German population from Tallinn and the Harju County countryside fled to Germany ( Umsiedlung ). On 14 June 1940, the Soviet Navy set up a naval blockade in the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea and stationed a navy squadron west of Naissaar island near Tallinn. Soviet bombers shot down

4186-526: The Tallinn Lilleküla Gymnasium and secondary school at the Tallinn Secondary School No. 7 (today the Tallinn English College ). Kallas graduated from the University of Tartu in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in law. In 2007, Kallas began studying towards a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Estonian Business School (EBS), which she did not complete. She went on to obtain a one-year Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from EBS in 2010. From 1996 to 1997, Kallas worked as an advisor to

4277-450: The Women Political Leaders, and a MEP ambassador of the European Entrepreneurship Education Network. Prime minister of Estonia The prime minister of Estonia ( Estonian : peaminister ) is the head of government of the Republic of Estonia . The prime minister is nominated by the president after appropriate consultations with the parliamentary factions and confirmed by the parliament ( Riigikogu ). In case of disagreement,

4368-444: The capital). Among others, Harju Street, St. Nicholas' Church , and Estonia Theatre were hit. 36-38 Soviet bombers were shot down during the bombardment. After the Red Army broke through the Tannenberg Line in Eastern Estonia and crossed the Emajõgi river near Tartu, it launched the Tallinn Offensive on 17 September 1944 when Adolf Hitler had agreed to start abandoning Estonia on 16 September 1944. The National Committee of

4459-487: The collapse of the coalition government. Kallas observed in a speech that the high cost of natural gas coupled with the Russian invasion of Ukraine was driving the increase in energy prices, and that the green energy measures Estonia adopted limited what the government could do to handle the crisis. In January 2022, Kallas announced a 245 million euro plan to reduce the cost of energy from September 2021 to March 2022. The energy crisis impacted her popularity in Estonia. On

4550-503: The company had sold over $ 32 million in goods on the Russian market between February 2022 and August 2023. The company also collaborated with sanctioned individuals, such as Polish-sanctioned Sergei Kolesnikov. Hallik later stated that he would sell his shares in Stark Logistics. Tanel Kiik of the opposition Centre Party noted that "the scandal has severely damaged the reputation of the Estonian state", while President of Estonia Alar Karis stated his worry for seeing "the credibility of

4641-523: The competition law department from 2008 to 2011. Kallas also worked as an executive coach at the Estonian Business School . In 2011, she was placed on inactive status as a member of the Estonian Bar Association. Between 2003 and 2010, Kallas was a council member of several Estonian private and public limited companies: LHV-Seesam Varahaldus, Pakri Tuulepark, Viru-Nigula Tuulepark, Hiiumaa Offshore Tuulepark, Paldiski Tuulepark, Tooma Tuulepark, Roheline Ring Tuulepargid, Biofond and 4E Tehnoinvest. In 2008, Kallas

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4732-530: The conflict in the Middle East "is useful to those seeking to distract the free world from its support for Ukraine." In August 2023, the media reported that Kallas's husband, Arvo Hallik, had a 24.9% share in the transportation company Stark Logistics, which had continued to transport raw materials to Russia following the Russian invasion of Ukraine , despite Kallas having previously called for Estonian companies to cease operations in Russia. The company had generated approximately €1.5 million in revenue from providing

4823-555: The construction of naval harbours in Tallinn and Paldiski ( Swedish : Rogerwiek ). Russian Tsar Peter I visited Tallinn at least nine times between 1711 and 1723. He personally opened the construction for Tallinn Naval Harbour in 1714 and Paldiski Naval Harbour in 1718. In 1870, the Paldiski - Tallinn - St. Petersburg Railway was opened, after which several smaller settlements along the line - Paldiski, Keila , Saue , Nõmme , Aruküla , Raasiku , Kehra and Aegviidu (then in Viru County) - started to grow. Several elements of Peter

4914-406: The controversy a "witch-hunt" by political opponents. On 13 February 2024, Russian officials stated that Kallas had been put on the Russian interior ministry's register of people wanted on criminal charges, reportedly related to the removal of Soviet World War II monuments in Estonia. Kallas is the first head of government known to be added to the register by Russian authorities. Kallas dismissed

5005-415: The county's population. Russian forces finally arrived in 1710 and laid siege to Tallinn for a month until the Swedish garrison surrendered , thus ending the Great Northern War in Estonia. Russian rule was secured with the Treaty of Nystad in 1721. The plague raged on for several years, eventually leaving several parts of the county completely empty of human habitation. Imperial Russian rule started with

5096-434: The director of the Vanemuine theatre in Tartu . Kallas became a member of the Estonian Bar Association in 1999, and an attorney-at-law in 2002. While training in European law , she briefly worked as a lawyer at the corporate law firms Courtois Lebel in Paris (March-April 2001) and Hannes Snellmann in Helsinki (October 2003). She became a partner in the law firms Tark & Co and Luiga Mody Hääl Borenius , where she headed

5187-452: The election result, Kallas negotiated a coalition government with Estonia 200 and the Social Democratic Party, and her third cabinet was sworn in on 17 April. In June 2023, the government passed a bill legalising same-sex marriage and adoption in Estonia . The bill came into effect on 1 January 2024, making Estonia the first Baltic state and country formerly occupied by the Soviet Union to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption. Kallas

5278-569: The end of 1918. Tallinn was the site of a failed Communist coup d'état attempt of 1924 . On 18 September 1939, after both Germany and the Soviet Union had invaded Poland , the Polish submarine ORP Orzeł escaped from internment in Tallinn Harbor during the Orzeł incident . The submarine eventually made her way to the United Kingdom , which led both the Soviet Union and Germany to question Estonia's neutrality . On 24 September 1939, Soviet Navy warships appeared in North Estonian waters and Soviet Air Force bombers patrolled above Tallinn and

5369-418: The eve of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in January 2022, Kallas said that the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline was "a geopolitical project not an economic one" and urged that the pipeline be terminated. She also stated that Europe's dependence on Russian natural gas was a significant political problem. In January 2022, Kallas committed Estonia to donating howitzers to Ukraine to assist in its defence against

5460-645: The exclusion of 1783–1796, when Paldiski County was separated). During the Soviet occupation, in 1940, Tallinn became a city of republic significance . Loksa was transferred to Viru County in 1949. The rest of Harju County was replaced with four raions during the Soviet occupation in 1950. Harju Raion around Tallinn gradually absorbed the former areas of Harju County as Loksa Raion was abolished in 1957, Kose Raion in 1959 and Keila Raion in 1962 and most of their territories transferred to Harju Raion. Aegviidu , Aegviidu Village Council and Kohila Village Council were transferred to Harju Raion in 1962. Harju Raion and

5551-428: The far-right EKRE , leaving the Reform Party out of power. On 14 November 2020, Kallas was re-elected as leader of the Reform Party at a Reform Party Assembly. On 25 January 2021, after the fall of the Centre Party led cabinet with conservative parties, Kaja Kallas's first cabinet , a coalition with the Centre Party, was formed. In doing so, she became the first female prime minister in Estonia's history. During

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5642-403: The first meeting was held on 1 July 1917 in Tallinn's Toompea Castle . Johannes Reinthal won the election for the Chair of the Council. The language of the proceedings was decided to be Estonian. Harju County Government became the Executive Committee of Harju County Soviet in January 1941. The County Government was restored during the German occupation from autumn 1941 until autumn 1944. In 1950,

5733-404: The first settlement in Estonia to receive its town rights, and in 1285 it became the northernmost member of the Hanseatic League . German dominance led to the St. George's Night Uprising , which broke out in 1343 with the burning of Padise Abbey in modern Padise Parish . The uprising led Denmark to sell its possessions in Northern Estonia to the Livonian Order . In 1561, after the outbreak of

5824-445: The government is made up solely of representatives of that party, the prime minister can enjoy considerable authority. In all crucial national questions, at least formally, the final word rests with the parliament as the legislative power. Unlike counterparts in other parliamentary republics, the prime minister of Estonia is both de jure and de facto chief executive. This is because the constitution explicitly vests executive power in

5915-415: The government, of which the prime minister is the leader. In most other parliamentary republics, the president is at least nominal chief executive, while bound by convention to act on the cabinet's advice. After Estonia declared independence from the then warring Russian and German Empires in 1918, the Provisional Government of Estonia was led by a Prime Minister until 1920. The 1920 Constitution set up

6006-565: The iconic highrise Hotel Olümpia and Tallinn TV Tower . In 1962, Paldiski became a Soviet Navy nuclear submarine training centre and had two land-based nuclear reactors with 16,000 employees. It was a closed town until the last Russian warship left in August 1994. Until then it was the last Russian military base in Estonia. Russia relinquished control of the nuclear reactor facilities in September 1995. The ancient counties of Harjumaa and Revala were merged into Harju County in 1266. It remained within most of its borders until 1949 (with

6097-401: The inhabitants were forced into Christianity . At the end of the Livonian Crusade (1208–1227 in Estonia), both counties were captured by the Order of the Sword Brothers until given back to Denmark with the Treaty of Stensby in 1238. The Danes built the Toompea Castle ( Castrum Danorum ) on Toompea Hill in Tallinn, which quickly became the biggest settlement in Estonia. In 1248, it was

6188-405: The larger islands and several of the smaller islands have had a considerable historical population. Pakri Islands , Naissaar and Prangli even formed separate municipalities. Their population diminished during Soviet occupation, either gradually or by force. Today, Prangli (73 inhabitants) and Naissaar (three inhabitants) both consist of three villages within Viimsi Parish . Aegna (eight inhabitants)

6279-517: The latter half of 2021, the global energy crisis disrupted the Estonian economy; businesses were forced to temporarily shut down, while the public requested government aid to pay for the high electricity and heating prices. Kallas initially resisted calls for government aid, suggesting that the government should search for long-term solutions rather than handing out benefits, and that a free market should not require consistent government intervention to keep people afloat. The energy crisis nearly caused

6370-433: The leadership election. Kallas won the leadership election held on 14 April 2018 and became the first female leader of a major political party in Estonia. In the 2019 Estonian parliamentary election on 3 March, the Reform Party led by Kallas received about 29% of the vote, with the ruling Estonian Centre Party taking 23%. The Centre Party managed to form Jüri Ratas' second cabinet with the conservative Isamaa party and

6461-429: The nearby countryside. The Soviet Union demanded that Estonia allow the Soviet military bases and stationed 25,000 troops on Estonian soil for the duration of the European war. On 28 September 1939, the government of Estonia accepted the ultimatum and signed the mutual assistance treaty . Paldiski was made a Soviet Naval Base and its population was expelled from the town. With its new military bases in Northern Estonia,

6552-547: The new parliament declared the Estonian SSR on 21 July 1940, which was annexed by the Soviet Union on 6 August 1940. Most county and municipal leaders were replaced and local assemblies were replaced with Soviets . The native population of Naissaar island was expelled from the island (as in 1914) as the island was turned into a military base. During the 1940–41 Soviet Occupation, thousands were executed, imprisoned, mobilised into

6643-428: The opposition to vote down the preschool education bill, that would have made teaching Estonian language mandatory in preschool. Kallas symbolically resigned on 14 July 2022, to form a new coalition with Social Democratic Party and Isamaa . As prime minister, Kallas attracted international attention as a leader in efforts to support Ukraine during the Russian invasion, delivering more military equipment to Ukraine as

6734-561: The parliament can reject the president's nomination and choose their own candidate. In practice, since the prime minister must maintain the confidence of parliament in order to remain in office, they are usually the leader of the senior partner in the governing coalition. The current prime minister is Kristen Michal of the Reform Party . He took the office on 23 July 2024 following the resignation of Kaja Kallas . The prime minister does not head any specific ministry. Rather, in accordance with

6825-553: The passenger airplane " Kaleva " near Keri island, killing all nine on board, which had included foreign diplomats. On 16 June 1940, the Red Army invaded Estonia and organised a Soviet coup d'état in Tallinn. On 21 June 1940, the Independent Signal Battalion in Tallinn showed resistance to the Red Army, until it surrendered and was disarmed on the same day. The Soviet powers organised rigged parliamentary elections and

6916-411: The remaining Rapla Raion became Harju County and Rapla County in 1990. Tallinn was reincorporated into Harju County in 1993. Tallinn was the first settlement in Harju County to receive town rights in 1248. Municipally, it consisted of the "upper town" of Toompea and the "lower town". The two municipalities were merged in 1877. The naval harbour town of Paldiski received its town rights in 1783. Nõmme

7007-662: The rest were sent to the small Jägala concentration camp nearby, that never had more than 200 prisoners as their lifespan was short. Klooga concentration camp in Keila Parish was mostly evacuated before the Soviet takeover, however, 2,000 prisoners were executed before the German retreat. The Red Army liberated the few survivors on 22 September 1944. Tallinn was bombed by the Soviet Air Force on 9 and 10 March 1944, killing 757 people and destroying 8,000 buildings (about one-third of

7098-566: The retreating Red Army, but it eventually engaged the destruction battalions near Kautla forest ( Battle of Kautla ) on 31 July to 1 August 1941, allowing 2,000 civilians to flee. German forces started its Tallinn Offensive on 19 August 1941, capturing Rapla on 21 August 1941. They reached Tallinn outskirts in Pirita on 24 August 1941 and Harku and Lasnamäe on 26 August 1941. Ordinary citizens were ordered to build defenses around Tallinn. Soviet forces started evacuating by sea on 24 August 1941. Of

7189-504: The rights of small and medium-sized enterprises, maintaining that borders in the digital world hinder the emergence of innovative companies. She is a proponent of innovation and frequently emphasises that regulations cannot and must not hinder the technological revolution. Kallas served as rapporteur for six reports: opinion on the ePrivacy Regulation , civil law rules on robotics, on the Annual report on EU Competition Policy, and on Delivering

7280-746: The shoreline and Lake Harku in Pikaliiva , all within Tallinn, and Kloogaranna and Kaberneeme in the countryside. The shoreline is also characterized by many peninsulas, such as Pakri , Lohusalu , Suurupi , Kakumäe , Kopli , Paljassaare , Viimsi , Ihasalu , Kaberneeme , Juminda and Pärispea . The shoreline is dotted with several islands, with the largest ones being Naissaar (18.6 km (7.2 sq mi)), Väike-Pakri (12.9 km (5.0 sq mi)), Suur-Pakri (11.6 km (4.5 sq mi)), Prangli (6.4 km (2.5 sq mi)), Aegna (2.9 km (1.1 sq mi)) and Rammu (1.0 km (0.39 sq mi)). All of

7371-582: The warrant as a "scare tactic" by Russia. On 28 June 2024, Kallas was nominated to become High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy . A confirmatory vote by the European Parliament is expected to take place in November. She formally resigned as prime minister on 15 July, but remained in office until the creation of a new government on 22 July. She will also become Vice-President of

7462-506: The way, the hospital ship "Moero" was attacked and sunk by the Soviet Air Force, killing 637 of its passengers. The retreating German forces avoided conflict with the Red Army in Tallinn and the invading army saw only little resistance by Estonian units led by Rear Admiral Johan Pitka . The Red Army entered Tallinn on 22 September and Paldiski on 24 September 1944. Before the Soviet reoccupation in 1944, thousands fled to Sweden across

7553-406: Was 11.2% more than at the same time ten years ago. Ethnic Estonians made up 60.57% (372,245) of the population, Russians 28.99% (178,169), Ukrainians 3.07% (18,886), Belarusians 1.22% (7,473), Finns 0.69% (4,226), Latvians 0.29% (1,812) and others 5.17% (31,756). [1] Religion in Harju County (2021) [2] Harju County lies on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland . Its shores are dominated by

7644-643: Was a board member of Nelja Energia . From 2009 to 2010, Kallas was a board member of the Estonian Wind Power Association. In 2010, Kallas joined the Estonian Reform Party . In the 2011 parliamentary elections she won a seat in the Riigikogu (for the Harju County and Rapla County constituency) receiving 7,157 votes. She was a member of the 12th Parliament of Estonia and chaired the Economic Affairs Committee from 2011 to 2014. In

7735-690: Was a member of parliament ( Riigikogu ) in 2011–2014, and 2019–2021. Kallas was a member of the European Parliament in 2014–2018, representing the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe . Before her election to Riigikogu, she was a lawyer specialising in European competition law . Kaja Kallas was born in Tallinn on 18 June 1977. Her father, Siim Kallas , served as chairman of the Bank of Estonia from 1991 to 1995, as prime minister of Estonia from 2002 to 2003, and as

7826-522: Was divided into four urban raions in 1945 and it gained several new territories from its surrounding parishes. Aegviidu (then in Järva County ), Järvakandi and Kohila (both now in Rapla County) and Kehra were named boroughs. The central administration of Paldiski was abolished in 1950 when Paldiski was merged with Keila Raion. Tallinn absorbed Saue in 1960 and Maardu in 1962 and the latter became

7917-409: Was given a town status in 1926 and Keila in 1938. Soviet powers merged Nõmme with Tallinn already in 1940. They also separated Tallinn from Harju County and it became a centrally administered town . The same was applied to Paldiski in 1941. The German occupation of 1941-1944 left only Tallinn separated from Harju County. The Soviet reoccupation brought Paldiski back to central administration. Tallinn

8008-416: Was mentioned as a possible candidate to replace NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg following his expected retirement that same year. She rejected any peace agreement that would cede part of Ukrainian territory to Russia. In March 2023, Kallas led the Reform Party to a decisive victory in the 2023 parliamentary election , increasing the party's seat count in the Riigikogu by three seats. Following

8099-476: Was only possible through a referendum. Under the 1934 Constitution passed by plebiscite, the position of Prime Minister was recreated as head of government in a more presidential system . Under this constitution, the head of state took the name State Elder ( riigivanem ) identical to the name for the 1920–1934 head of government. The newly established head of state could appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister and Cabinet, veto laws, give decrees (statutes) and dissolve

8190-644: Was praised domestically for her leadership during the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Subsequently, her approval rating soared, making her Estonia's most popular politician. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine started on 24 February 2022, Estonia along with other allies triggered Article 4 of NATO . Kallas pledged to support Ukraine with political and materiel support. By April 2022, 0.8% of Estonia's GDP per capita in military equipment had been handed over to Ukraine. Kallas has been praised both in Estonia and internationally as

8281-475: Was replaced with the Flag of Germany the next day. German forces were greeted as liberators in Tallinn. It was also the first time since 1219 that Tallinn had been captured following a military engagement. Northern Estonia was the site of several concentration camps and massacres. In September 1942, up to three thousand foreign Jews and Gypsies were executed at Kalevi-Liiva in Jõelähtme Parish, while

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