{{Politics of Estonia}}
The '''Prime Minister of Estonia''' (''Estonian: Eesti Vabariigi Peaminister'') is the Head_of_government of the Republic_of_Estonia. The prime minister is chosen by the President and conferred by Parliament. This is usually the leader of the largest party or coalition in the Parliament. The current Prime Minister is Andrus_Ansip, who took office on 12_April 2005, representing the coalition of Estonian_Reform_Party (''Eesti Reformierakond''), the Estonian_Centre_Party (''Eesti Keskerakond''), and the People's_Union_of_Estonia (''Eestimaa Rahvaliit'').
The activity of the government is directed by the Prime Minister, who is the actual political head of state. He does not head any specific ministry, but is, in accordance with the constitution, the supervisor of the work of the government. The Prime Minister’s significance and role in the government and his relations with other ministries often depend on the position of the party led by the prime minister in vis-à-vis the coalition partners, and on how much influence the prime minister possesses within his own party. If the prime minister has a strong position within his party, and the government is made up solely of representatives of that party, he can enjoy considerable authority. In all crucial national questions, however, the final word rests with Riigikogu as the legislative power.
==History==
Estonia was governed by a Prime Minister during the first two years, 1918-1920, of its independence after the collapse of the Russian_Empire.
Under Estonia's 1920 constitution, a Presidential_system was adopted with the State_Elder_of_Estonia holding executive powers. Under a new constitution passed by plebiscite in 1933, the position of Prime Minister was recreated as head of government in 1934 in a more Parliamentary_system. The sitting State Elder, Konstantin_Päts, appointed himself to the position of Prime Minister and in this position was then able to suspend elections for Elder of State and for the Estonian Parliament. He remained Prime Minister, declaring himself "State Protector", until 1938, when elections were held under a new constiution and he was elected President.
==Prime Ministers==
===1918 to 1920===
{|border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=2 width=98%
|-
|
|'''Name'''
|'''Took Office'''
|'''Left Office'''
|'''Party'''
|- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|1
|Konstantin_Päts {{fn|1}}
|24_February 1918
|9_May 1919
|Union_of_Rural_People
|- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|2
|Otto_Strandman
|9_May 1919
|18_November 1919
|Estonian_Labour_Party
|- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|3
|Jaan_Tõnisson
|18_November 1919
|28_July 1920
|Estonia_People's_Party
|- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|4
|Ado_Birk {{fn|2}}
|28_July 1920
|30_July 1920
|Estonia_People's_Party
|- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|
|Jaan Tõnisson (2nd time) {{fn|3}}
|30_July 1920
|26_October 1920
|Estonia_People's_Party
|- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|5
|Ants_Piip
|26_October 1920
|21_December 1920
|Estonian_Labour_Party
|}
===1934 to 1937===
{|border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=2 width=98%
|-
|
|'''Name'''
|'''Took Office'''
|'''Left Office'''
|'''Party'''
|- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|
|Konstantin Päts (2nd Time)
|24_January 1934
|3_September 1937
|Non-party
|}
===1938 to 1940===
{|border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=2 width=98%
|-
|
|'''Name'''
|'''Took Office'''
|'''Left Office'''
|'''Party'''
|- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|6
|Kaarel_Eenpalu {{fn|4}}
|9_May 1938
|12_October 1939
|Non-party
|- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|7
|Jüri_Uluots
|12_October 1939
|21_June 1940
|National Association
|- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|8
|Johannes_Vares
|21_June 1940
|25_August 1940
|Estonian_Communist_Party
|}
===1991 to Present===
{|border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing=2 width=98%
|-
|
|'''Name'''
|'''Took Office'''
|'''Left Office'''
|'''Party'''
|- bgcolor=#DDFFDD
|
|Edgar_Savisaar (acting)
|August_20 1991
|January_29 1992
|Popular_Front_of_Estonia
|- bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|
|Tiit_Vähi (acting)
|January_29 1992
|October_21 1992
|(none)
|-bgcolor=DDEEFF
|9
|Mart_Laar
|October_21 1992
|November_8 1994
|Pro Patria Union
|-bgcolor=#EEEEEE
|10
|Andres_Tarand
|November_8 1994
|April_17 1995
|(none)
|-bgcolor=#FFEECC
|11
|Tiit Vähi (2nd time)
|April_17 1995
|March_17 1997
|Estonian_Coalition_Party
|-bgcolor=#FFEECC
|12
|Mart_Siimann
|March_17 1997
|March_25 1999
|Estonian Coalition Party
|-bgcolor=#DDEEFF
|
|Mart Laar (2nd time)
|March_25 1999
|January_28 2002
|Pro Patria Union
|-bgcolor=#FFFFD0
|13
|Siim_Kallas
|January_28 2002
|April_10 2003
|Estonian_Reform_Party
|-bgcolor=#D7D9EA
|14
|Juhan_Parts
|April_10 2003
|April_12 2005
|Res_Publica
|-bgcolor=#FFFFD0
|15
|Andrus_Ansip
|April_12 2005
|
|Estonian_Reform_Party
|}
===Footnotes===
*{{fnb|1}} Päts was imprisoned until 20_November 1918, from the time he was appointed to the post of Prime Minister till the time he was released, Jaan_Poska assumed the duties of Prime Minister of his behalf.
*{{fnb|2}} Though appointed, Birk never assumed the office.
*{{fnb|3}} Was acting Prime Minister from July_29 to July_30 1920.
*{{fnb|4}} Was acting Prime Minister from time of appointment till 9_May 1938.
==External link==
*Website of the Prime Minister of Estonia
*
Estonia, Prime Minister
Et:Eesti_peaministrite_loend
It:Elenco_dei_Primi_Ministri_dell'Estonia
Pl:Premierzy_Estonii