Margus Tsahkna


Margus Tsahkna is an Estonian politician. He has been Minister of Foreign Affairs since the third cabinet of Kaja Kallas was sworn in on 17 April 2023 and continues in that role in Kristen Michal's cabinet. He is also the leader of the Estonia 200 party since 19 November 2023.
Previously, he was the leader of the conservative Isamaa party, Minister of Defence in Jüri Ratas' cabinet and Minister of Social Protection in Taavi Rõivas' second cabinet.
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Early life

Tsahkna was born in Tartu, Estonia. In 1995, he graduated from a secondary school. From 1996 to 2002, he studied theology and law at the University of Tartu, without graduating. Between 1999 and 2000 he also studied international law at the University of Toronto, without graduating.

Political career

In 2000, he joined the Pro Patria party. From 2001 to 2004 he was chairman of Noor-Isamaa, the party's youth organisation. From 2001 to 2003 he was a member of Tartu city council. From 2003 to 2006 he was the party's political secretary. After the affiliation of the Pro Patria and Res Publica parties, to form the [Pro Patria Union|Pro Patria ja Res Publica Party|Res Publica Liit] party, he was secretary general from 2007 to 2010, and political secretary from 2010 to 2013. In 2013, he became assistant chairman. He has been a member of the Estonian parliament since 2007, the member of the parliaments finance committee and social committee. He has also acted as a chairman of the parliaments social committee from 2011 to 2014.
In 2015 parliamentary election, Tsahkna was re-elected to the parliament with 2,267 individual votes. He was chosen the chairman of the Pro Patria and Res Publica Union on 6 June 2015.
In April 2017, Tsahkna announced that he would not seek re-election as chairman. He was followed by Helir-Valdor Seeder on 13 May 2017. Tsahkna left the party on 26 June 2017. In 2018 he left Isamaa and joined Estonia 200.
As the defense minister and a member of the Riigikogu, Tsahkna promoted the interests of the defense industry. During a break in his political career, he became an export manager of medical device manufacturer Semetron, owned by an Estonian tycoon, and a shareholder of MM Hospital OÜ.
The investigation by Eesti Ekspress highlighted that while working in the private sector, Tsahkna organized deals and visits with the support of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Tsahkna ultimately benefited from deals between Estonia and other counties to provide Ukraine with container field hospitals produced exclusively by Semetron. By mid-2023, these contracts totaled Euro 28.3 million, with future procurement for Euro 150 million announced by Estonia and Lithuania.
Tsahkna denied an alleged conflict of interest. In August 2023, he sold his share in MM Hospital OÜ to Semetron.

Personal life

Tsahkna is married to Anna-Greta Tsahkna and they have four children. He speaks Estonian, fluent English, and some Russian.
He's a half-brother of, a former deputy mayor of Tallinn and former adviser to the minister of social affairs, tied up in several influence peddling charges.
In 2000, he founded the Christian Adolescent Home in Tartu.
He is a member of the General Johan Laidoner Society and of the Korp! Sakala student society.
In 2009, he won second place in the Estonian television singing competition Laulud tähtedega. He sang with Birgit Õigemeel, winner of the Eesti otsib superstaari.

Honours