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{{Short description|Estonian politician and historian}}
{{Infobox_Prime Minister
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Mart Laar
| image = MartLaar2007.jpg | name = Mart Laar
| order = ] | image = Mart_Laar.png
| term_start = ], ] | caption = Laar in 2011
| term_end = ], ] | order = 9th and 13th<br>]
| president = Lennart Meri <br/> ]
| predecessor = ]
| successor = ] | term_start = 25 March 1999
| term_end = 28 January 2002
| term_start2 = ], ]
| term_end2 = ], ] | predecessor = ]
| predecessor2 = ] (acting) | successor = ]
| successor2 = ] | president2 = ]
| term_start2 = 21 October 1992
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|4|22|mf=y}}
| term_end2 = 8 November 1994
| birth_place = ], ]
| predecessor2 = ] (acting)
| death_date =
| successor2 = ]
| death_place =
| party = ] | office3 = ]
| spouse = | primeminister3 = ]
| religion = | term_start3 = 6 April 2011
| term_end3 = 11 May 2012
| predecessor3 = ]
| successor3 = ]
| office4 = Leader of the ]
| term_start4 = 26 May 2007
| term_end4 = 28 January 2012
| predecessor4 =
| successor4 = ]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1960|04|22|df=y}}
| birth_place = ], Estonia
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = ]
| alma_mater = ]
| spouse =
| religion =
| nickname =
}} }}


'''Mart Laar''' (born 22 April 1960) is an ]n politician and historian. He served as the ] from 1992 to 1994 and from 1999 to 2002.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3R85byyUHeUC&q=Mart+Laar&pg=PA105 |title=Europe Review 2003/04: The Economic and Business Report – Google Boeken |isbn=9780749440671 |access-date=2013-10-17|last1=Page |first1=Kogan Kogan |date=November 2003 |publisher=Kogan Page Publishers }}</ref> Laar is credited with having helped bring about Estonia's ] during the 1990s.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Braithwaite|first1=Rodric|year=2008|title=Misreading Russia|journal=Survival|publisher=Routledge|volume=50 |issue=4|pages=169–176|doi=10.1080/00396330802329097|s2cid=219638368}}</ref> He is a member of the ] ] party.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irl.ee/en/mart-laar-0 |title=Mart Laar &#124; IRL |access-date=2016-01-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429222417/http://www.irl.ee/en/mart-laar-0 |archive-date=2017-04-29 }}</ref>
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: ] -->
'''Mart Laar''' (born ] ] in ]) is an Estonian statesman and historian. He was the ] from ] to ] and from ] to ]. <ref> ISBN 0749440678 </ref>


In April 2011, Mart Laar became ] in the cabinet of Prime Minister ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.acus.org/natosource/mart-laar-becomes-estonias-new-defense-minister |title=Mart Laar becomes Estonia's new Defense Minister |publisher=Acus.org |access-date=2013-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509184001/http://www.acus.org/natosource/mart-laar-becomes-estonias-new-defense-minister |archive-date=2013-05-09 }}</ref> and served until his resignation for reasons of health in May 2012.
Laar was a member of the right-of-center ], which in 2006 merged with the more technocratic ]. In addition to being a politician, Laar has written several books on ]n and ]n history. He was also a history teacher in ], as well as the past president of Council of Historians of the Foundation of the Estonia Inheritance, the Society for the Preservation of Estonia History and the ]. Laar graduated form ] in ], and received his masters degree from the same university in ]. Among his books are ''War in the Woods: Estonia's Struggle for Survival, 1944-1956''. It is about all those who continued to fight ] against the Soviet authority after WWII. ISBN 0-929590-09-0


In April 2013, ] appointed Laar as chairman of the supervisory board of the ], his term beginning on 12 June 2013.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107021137/http://uudised.err.ee/index.php?06277686 |date=2013-11-07 }}, uudised.err.ee, 23 April 2013.</ref>
His installment as Prime Minister, by the ] on ] ], launched what is perhaps the single most dramatic transformation of a politician (even in purely physical terms) on the Estonian scene: Laar went from bespectacled young Turk with a bookish cachet as a heritage scholar, to a politician's politician, a somewhat senatorial figure -- in the Roman sense -- with appetites to match, and murky dealings that extended far out of Estonia's geopolitical realm. In a ] no-confidence vote, parliament removed Laar from office amid opposition accusations of lying to the people, following sale of billions of ] collected during the ] to the cash-deprived ] instead of delivering them for free to ], as the latter had demanded.


==Career==
Five years later, in ], Laar returned to the post, with his main policy goals being to pull the economy out of a slump and lead the country toward the European Union. He remained in the post until he stepped down in ].
] (left) and ] (right) at a discussion of ENE at ''Horisont'' magazine's headquarters in 1989.]]
Mart Laar was born in ]. He studied history at the ], graduating in 1983; he received his master's degree in ] and his ] in history in 2005. Laar taught history in ], and served as president of the Council of Historians of the Foundation of the Estonia Inheritance, the Society for the Preservation of Estonian History, and the ]. Laar has written many books on Estonian and Soviet history, among them ''War in the Woods: Estonia's Struggle for Survival, 1944–1956'', a book about the ] anti-Soviet resistance movement.


Laar's political career began when he became a member of the conservative ] party (which later merged with the more technocratic ] in 2006). He was elected prime minister by the ] on 21 October 1992.
Many credit Laar for leading Estonia through lightning economic reforms that won Western praise and ultimately laid the groundwork for rapid economic growth and acceptance to ] entry talks. <ref>"" Guatemala, September 2006</ref> It is also believed that Laar's economic reforms led to the ] period starting for Estonia after 2000. But the reforms were tough, and Laar was hurt by scandal concerning the ruble deal and by a multimillion-dollar ] arms purchase{{Fact|date=November 2007}}.


In barely two years, from 1992 to 1994, the radical reforming Estonian government of Mart Laar was the first in Europe to introduce the ], privatized most national industry in transparent public tenders, abolished tariffs and subsidies, stabilized the
==Political and economic Reforms==
economy and balanced the budget.<ref>{{dead link|date=August 2013}}</ref>


Due to several scandals, Laar was defeated in 1994 by ], when some members of the coalition withdrew their support.<ref>{{cite book|title=Reconstituting the Market |last=Hare|first=P. G|author2=Judy Batt |author3=Saul Estrin |year=1999|publisher=Routledge|isbn=90-5702-329-6 |page=205|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dDcvE27otMkC&pg=PA205 }}</ref> Reasons for the vote were publicized details of arms deal with ] and so called "rouble scandal" - the sale of 2.3 billion&nbsp;]s,<ref>{{cite book|title=The Baltic States|last=Smith|first=David James |year=2002|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0-415-28580-1|page=91|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YaYbzQQN97EC&pg=PA91}}</ref> withdrawn from circulation during the Estonian monetary reform of 1992, to breakaway ], carried out by Laar's associates at an Estonian private company, Maag, without consulting Parliament.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NPkH-7BCB6AC&pg=PA132 |title=Allah's Mountains: The Battle for Chechnya, New Edition – Sebastian Smith – Google Boeken |isbn=9781850439790 |access-date=2013-10-17|last1=Smith |first1=Sebastian |year=2006 |publisher=Bloomsbury USA }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.balticvoices.org/estonia/estonian_government.php?PHPSESSID=924e591e55b5bb67afdd246ab2d75b43 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120723225144/http://www.balticvoices.org/estonia/estonian_government.php?PHPSESSID=924e591e55b5bb67afdd246ab2d75b43 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-23 |title=Baltic Voices |publisher=Baltic Voices |access-date=2013-10-17 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baltic-course.com/archive/eng/fall_2001/crime.htm |title=Archive &#124; No. 1 (3) 2001 |publisher=The Baltic Course |access-date=2013-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epl.ee/?artikkel=281888 |title=Eesti Päevaleht |publisher=Epl.ee |access-date=2013-10-17}}</ref>
Laar’s ] are referred to as the most thorough in the region and are occasionally used as a model for other ]. The contributions to the study of ] made by the Estonian reforms are often categorized as mainly three: ], ] and ] reorientation.


Five years later, in 1999, Laar returned to the post, with his main policy goals being to pull the economy out of a slump and lead the country toward the ]. He remained in the post until he stepped down in 2002.
===Economic reforms===
Estonia benefited from hindsight, in that its ] came two years after the transitions in the other former ] of ]. Estonia was able to implement many of their lessons while seemingly avoiding pitfalls. <ref>"" Conference at Francisco Marroquin University. Guatemala, September 2006</ref> Three innovations to the study of economic transitions stand out:
*Hybrid ]. By combining the ] and ] models on the one hand, with the Czech ] program on the other, Estonia implemented a hybrid privatization system which was perceived as both just and efficient while avoiding the pitfalls of the earlier models. Laar’s director of privatization was ], a Swede-Estonian and former manager of the ] pop group ].
*]. Estonia under Laar was the first country to implement a ], which was partially emulated by some other countries, including ], ], ], ], ], ] and others. ], for example, dramatically increased ] revenues while slashing ]. Laar claims the only book on economics he had read before becoming prime minister at the age of 32 was '']'' by ]<ref>'', 27 August 2005</ref>, although according to his autobiography he is a ], not a ].
*Banking reform. Laar implemented harsh banking reform by encouraging the ] of banks suspected of having been taken over by the ]. Though the ] at the time criticized this policy (as they did the Estonian policy of leaving the ruble zone in 1992), it was proven successful as Estonia did not suffer a ] later as other transition countries did (even the ]). After 2000, the ] reformers applied this same policy.


On 18 May 1999 while prime minister, Mart Laar with security advisor Jaan Tross, ] head ] and Government Office coordination director ] used a shotgun to shoot at a photo of ], leader of opposition party ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arvamus.postimees.ee/253305/mart-laar-50-kaksteist-kaadrit-kahekordsest-peaministrist/ |title=Mart Laar 50: kaksteist kaadrit kahekordsest peaministrist – Arvamus |date=22 April 2010 |publisher=Arvamus.postimees.ee |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ohtuleht.ee/102445 |title="Mart Laar vassis ja valetas". &#124; Õhtuleht |publisher=Ohtuleht.ee |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ap3.ee/?PublicationId=31503ED6-39D4-4163-9D98-74AA1E3959CE&code=75325 |title=m.aripaev.ee |publisher=Ap3.ee |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref> Later he explained that during shooting he acted as a private person, not as the prime minister.<ref>{{cite web|author=DELFI |url=http://www.epl.ee/news/eesti/laar-ma-olin-pilti-tulistades-eraisik.d?id=50804868 |title=Laar: ma olin pilti tulistades eraisik – Eesti Päevaleht |publisher=Epl.ee |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Deevision Webgraphics |url=http://www.saarlane.ee/uudised/uudis.asp?newsid=5262&kat=2 |title=<< Saarlane >> – Eesti uudised: Laar väidab, et peaministrina polegi ta kogu aeg peaminister |publisher=Saarlane.ee |access-date=2013-08-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110135901/http://www.saarlane.ee/uudised/uudis.asp?newsid=5262&kat=2 |archive-date=2016-01-10 }}</ref>
===Geopolitical reorientation===
Mart Laar apologized for this event as Prime Minister and army officer.<ref>{{cite web|author=DELFI |url=http://www.epl.ee/news/eesti/mart-laari-pihtimus.d?id=50865986 |title=Mart Laari pihtimus – Eesti Päevaleht |publisher=Epl.ee |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.martlaar.ee/2007/01/26/uus-raamat/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130213064931/http://www.martlaar.ee/2007/01/26/uus-raamat/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-02-13 |title=Uus raamat « |publisher=Martlaar.ee |access-date=2013-08-01 }}</ref>
Estonia also became a case study in "escaping ]". From near total dependence on the ] for ] before 1991, by 2006, trade with ] was less than 9% of the total (4th largest trade partner). Estonia since 2004 is a full member of both the ] and ]. In 2006, the EU accounted 64.7% of Estonia's export and 74.1% of import, while the share of the CIS countries were accordingly 10.5% and 16.0%.<ref>http://www.stat.ee/18613</ref>


==Recognition and criticism== ==Recognition==
Laar has multiple Orders from Estonia and other countries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vp1992-2001.president.ee/est/ametitegevus/Riigivapp.asp |title=Eesti Vabariigi President 1992–2001 – Ametitegevus – Teenetemärgid – Riigivapp |publisher=Vp1992-2001.president.ee |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ap3.ee/?PublicationId=31503ED6-39D4-4163-9D98-74AA1E3959CE&code=4176 |title=m.aripaev.ee |publisher=Ap3.ee |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riigikogu.ee/?op=ems&page=ikaart&pid=9402fb95-167e-4ddb-bf29-0a4ffb6b4373&elulugu=true&lang=ee& |title=Riigikogu |publisher=Riigikogu.ee |date=1960-04-22 |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref>


The results of the radical reforms have been recognized by ], which awarded Laar the ]'s ] in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lindsey |first=Brink |url=http://www.cato.org/blog/mart-laar-friedman-prize-winner |title=Mart Laar, Friedman Prize Winner &#124; Cato @ Liberty |publisher=Cato.org |date=2006-05-18 |access-date=2013-10-17}}</ref>
The results of the radical reforms have been recognized by ] (which ranked Estonia the least ] country in the post-communist region), the ] / '']'' (whose index qualified Estonia as the most economically free in all of ]), the ] (whose ] measured Estonia’s rapid rise in such quality-of-life parameters as ], ], ] and ]), and the ], which awarded Laar the ] Prize for Advancing Liberty in 2006. On the other hand, serious criticism both within Estonia and abroad has focused on the harsh social effects of the reforms (to which Laar admits), rash privatizations and economic measures that actually did not increase economic productivity and were innovation-unfriendly, and other drawbacks{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.


The ] awarded Dr. Laar their Faith & Freedom Award on October 24, 2007. The ] awarded Dr. Laar their Faith & Freedom Award on 24 October 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acton.org/press/release/2007/mart-laar-receive-acton-institutes-faith-freedom-a |title=Mart Laar to Receive Acton Institute's Faith & Freedom Award &#124; Acton Institute |publisher=Acton.org |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref>

Mart Laar is member of Honorary Board of the ] (EUROCLIO).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://euroclio.eu/association/people/honorary-board/|title=Honorary Board}}</ref> He is also a member of the international advisory council of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.victimsofcommunism.org/about/internationaladvisors.php |title=International Advisory Council |publisher=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610171747/http://www.victimsofcommunism.org/about/internationaladvisors.php |archive-date=2011-06-10 |access-date=2011-05-20 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The ] Museum in ] awarded Mart Laar the ] in 2011 for his contributions to investigating the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Laar Receives Award for Shedding Light on Communist Crimes |first=Ingrid |last=Teesalu |url=http://news.err.ee/politics/418467d6-81f1-4a84-9dd1-4f79ba0651f9 |newspaper=ERR |date=2011-12-15 |access-date=27 December 2011}}</ref>


==Recent activities== ==Recent activities==
] summit in September 2010]]
Together with ], ], ], ], ], ] and other transition leaders, he participates in the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icdcprague.org/index.php?id=12 |title=ICDC: International Committee for Democracy in Cuba |publisher=Icdcprague.org |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref>


] at the ] summit in 2010]]
Laar has been involved in assisting and counseling other ] and reformers in the region and beyond, including in ] (before 2000), ], ] (before 2004), ] (after its own transition in 2000) and ] (the ] city council in ] enacted a "Mart Laar Day" in 2003). Together with ], ], ], ], ], ] and other transition leaders, he participates in the ].
Laar is a member of the International Council of the New York-based ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehrf.org/international-council.php#mlaar |title=Human Rights Foundation – International Council |publisher=Thehrf.org |access-date=2013-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514084246/http://thehrf.org/international-council.php#mlaar |archive-date=2013-05-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a founding member of the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unitasfoundation.org |title=Home |publisher=Unitas Foundation |access-date=11 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425082847/http://www.unitasfoundation.org/ |archive-date=25 April 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


], Mart Laar and the chancellor of Germany, ] in the EPP Summit of 2010 ]]
Laar is a member of the International Council of the New York-based ].


In 2003, Laar received the ] for his contributions to the development of the electronic systems in Estonia. In 2003, Laar received the Wharton Infosys Business Transformation Award brought about the development of electronic systems in Estonia to upgrade the country's infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Wharton+Infosys+Business+Transformation+Awards+2003+Honor+Innovative...-a0102516206 |title=Wharton Infosys Business Transformation Awards 2003 Honor Innovative Users of Technology; Fujitsu Siemens, ING Direct, Imperial Sugar Company Among the Winners. – Free Online Library |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref>


After the ] in ], Laar became advisor to President ] and assisted his government in carring out radical liberal reforms. After the ] in ], Laar became advisor to the country's president ] and in 2010 received Order of St. George.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://expertclub.ge/portal/cnid__3217/alias__Expertclub/lang__en/tabid__2546/default.aspx |title=The President of Georgia awarded Mart Laar with the Order of St. George |publisher=Expertclub.ge |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref>


In September 2006, Laar announced that he would come out of political retirement to run for the candidacy for prime minister of the new ] party.
Laar was the 2006 recipient of the ]'s ] which is awarded biannually to "an individual who has made a significant contribution to advancing human freedom."


Mart Laar was ] member.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rnh.is/?page_id=344 |title=The Mont Pelerin Society &#124; RNH |publisher=Rnh.is |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref>
In September 2006, Laar announced that he will come out of political retirement to run for the candidacy for Prime Minister of the new ].


On 26 May 2007 he was elected a Chairman of the ].
In January 2007, it was announced that Mart Laar would become a ] member.


On 18 February 2012 Mart Laar suffered from a ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irl.ee/en/news/260412/mart-laar-leaves-intensive-care |title=Mart Laar Leaves Intensive Care &#124; IRL |publisher=Irl.ee |date=2012-04-26 |access-date=2013-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017152024/http://www.irl.ee/en/news/260412/mart-laar-leaves-intensive-care |archive-date=2013-10-17 }}</ref> and stepped down as Defence Minister three months later.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irl.ee/en/news/060512/mart-laar-tendered-his-resignation-to-the-prime-minister |title=Mart Laar tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister &#124; IRL |publisher=Irl.ee |access-date=2013-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017152011/http://www.irl.ee/en/news/060512/mart-laar-tendered-his-resignation-to-the-prime-minister |archive-date=2013-10-17 }}</ref> Until October 2012 Laar had still been staying out of the public eye, but was reportedly recovering.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.postimees.ee/977904/mart-laar-astub-parast-kaheksakuulist-vahepausi-taas-avalikkuse-ette/ |title=Mart Laar astub pärast kaheksakuulist vahepausi taas avalikkuse ette |language=et |date=19 October 2012}}</ref>
On ], ] he was elected a Chairman of the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica.

In 2012, the Estonian National Audit Office declassified a 1995 audit about arms deal which caused newspaper '']'' to publish a critical article about Laar.<ref>{{cite web|author=Ekspress |url=http://www.ekspress.ee/news/paevauudised/eestiuudised/riigisaladuste-avalikustamine-paljastas-laari-vale.d?id=64538358 |title=Riigisaladuste avalikustamine paljastas Laari vale – Eesti uudised – Eesti Ekspress |publisher=Ekspress.ee |access-date=2013-08-01}}</ref>

=== Opposition to same-sex marriage ===
On 15 May 2023 a public letter was published in the leading Estonian newspaper , voicing disapprovement of a recent Government policy decision to extend marriage rights to couples of the same gender.

Mart Laar and his fellow signatories signed a statement containing the following:

''"Same-sex couples are an insignificant minority in society, while their contribution to the survival of the nation is almost negligible, their contribution to the growth of the nation is nothing as they themselves do not produce offspring. How then can their life together be equated with a traditional marriage?''

''As the purpose and nature of the way of life of same sex couples is completely different compared to traditional marriage, it remains completely incomprehensible why they are not satisfied with the way of life that suits them which can be called cohabitation. After all, they have been offered an opportunity with the But no! In their name, they are now trying to brutally and unquestionably prescribe to the whole nation that all kinds of cohabitation must be called marriage, perhaps ignoring biology."''


== Relationship with the media == == Relationship with the media ==
In 1994, the ] declared Laar the Year's ]. This was the first time this award was given; since that, it has been a yearly occurrence.<ref name='press-friend-1998'>{{in lang|et}} Eesti Ajalehtede Liit 3 December 1998: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204644/http://www.eall.ee/uudised/1998/3_12.html |date=2016-03-03 }}</ref> In 2001, Laar was given the complementary award of Year's Press Enemy.<ref name='press-friend-2001'>{{in lang|et}} Eesti Ajalehtede Liit 6 December 2001: </ref>
{{main|Eesti Ajalehtede Liit#Press Friend Award}}
In 1994, the ] declared Laar the Year's Press Friend. This was the first time this award was given; since that, it has been a yearly occurrence.<ref name='press-friend-1998'>Eesti Ajalehtede Liit ] ]: </ref>


In January 2012, Laar became a meme, when in the heat of the ] discussion in Estonia, he explained the disappearance of ACTA-related posts from his Facebook page with "lack of space" in Facebook.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=] |date=2 February 2012 |url=https://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/1125240--dear-minister-laar-the-internet-is-not-running-out-of-space |title=Dear Minister Laar: The Internet is not running out of space}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=Empire Chronicles |url=http://www.empirechronicles.co.uk/eng/2012/01/26/minister-gets-caught-deleting-fb-comments-claims-he-ran-out-of-facebook-space/ |title=Minister gets caught deleting FB comments, claims he "ran out of Facebook space |date=26 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |publisher=] |date=28 January 2012 |url=http://www.dailydot.com/news/estonian-politician-defense-minister-maart-laar/ |title=Estonian politician becomes a meme}}</ref> Later he clarified that posts were deleted by his page's moderator without his approval and that ACTA requires further discussion.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lomp |first=Loora-Elisabet |date=15 May 2023 |title=Laar postituste kustutamisest: Facebookis sai ruum otsa |url=http://uudised.err.ee/index.php?06244426 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217105426/http://uudised.err.ee/index.php?06244426 |archive-date=17 February 2013 |publisher=] |language=et}}</ref>
Interestingly, in 2001, Laar was given the complementary award and titled the Year's Press Enemy.<ref name='press-friend-2001'>Eesti Ajalehtede Liit ] ]: </ref>

==Published works==
* (], 2012) {{in lang|en}}
*''The Power of Freedom: Central and Eastern Europe after 1945'' (Centre for European Studies, 2009) {{ISBN|978-9949-18-858-1}} {{in lang|en}}
* {{Cite book |title=Eesti Leegion sõnas ja pildis – The Estonian Legion in words and pictures |year=2008 |publisher=Grenader |isbn=978-9949-422-61-6 }}
* (], 2008)
*''September 1944: Otto Tiefi valitsus'' (Varrak, 2007) {{ISBN|9985-3-1390-9}} {{in lang|et}}
*''Estonia's Way'' (Pegasus, 2006) {{ISBN|9949-425-43-3}} {{in lang|en}}
*''Sinimäed 1944'' (Tallinn, 2006) {{ISBN|9985-3-1117-5}} {{in lang|et}}
*''Lähiajalugu: gümnaasiumile'' (Avita, 2006) {{ISBN|9985-2-1173-1}} {{in lang|et}}
*''Estoński cud'' (Arwil, 2006) {{ISBN|83-60533-00-8}} {{in lang|pl}}
*''The Forgotten War'' (Grenader, 2005) {{ISBN|9949-411-75-0}} {{in lang|en}}
*''Der vergessene Krieg'' (Grenader, 2005) {{ISBN|9949-411-76-9}} {{in lang|de}}
*''Der rote Terror'' (Grenader, 2005) {{ISBN|9949-411-82-3}} {{in lang|de}}
*''{{lang|lv|Sarkanais terors}}'' (Grenader, 2005) {{ISBN|9949-411-78-5}} {{in lang|lv}}
*''Aizmirstais karš'' (Grenader, 2005) {{ISBN|9949-411-72-6}} {{in lang|lv}}
*''Unohdettu sota'' (Grenader, 2005) {{ISBN|9949-411-73-4}} {{in lang|fi}}
*''Eestlase raha läbi aegade'' (Eesti Ekspressi Kirjastus, 2006) {{ISBN|9985-9625-6-7}} {{in lang|et}}
*''{{lang|lv|Igaunija otraja pasaules kara}}'' (Grenader, 2005) {{ISBN|9949-411-90-4}} {{in lang|lv}}
*''Estonia in World War II'' (Grenader, 2005) {{ISBN|9949-411-93-9}} {{in lang|en}}
*''Viron lyhyt historia''' (Grenader, 2005) {{ISBN|9949-411-85-8}} {{in lang|fi}}
*''Streifzug durch die estnische Geschichte'' (Grenader, 2005) {{ISBN|9949-411-88-2}} {{in lang|de}}
*''Äratajad'' (Tartu, 2005) {{ISBN|9985-858-43-3}} {{in lang|et}}
*''{{lang|lv|Igaunijas vestures konspektivs parskats}}'' (Grenader, 2005) {{ISBN|978-9949-411-84-9}} {{in lang|lv}}
*''Linnulennul Eesti ajaloost'' (Grenader, 2005) {{ISBN|9949-411-83-1}} {{in lang|et}}
*''Estonia: A Land of Human Dimensions'' (Uniprint AS, 2004) {{ISBN|9949-10-270-7}} {{in lang|en}}
*''Emajõgi 1944'' (Tallinn, 2005) {{ISBN|9985-3-1183-3}} {{in lang|et}}
*''Das estnische Wirtschaftwunder'' (Tallinn, 2002) {{ISBN|978-9985-62-078-6}} {{in lang|de}}
*''Estonia: Little Country that Could'' (London, 2002) {{ISBN|0-948027-40-1}} {{in lang|en}}
*''Eesti uus algus'' (Tallinn, 2002) {{ISBN|9985-62-079-8}} {{in lang|et}}
*''Vissza a jövőbe'' (Budapest, 2002) {{ISBN|963-9406-96-1}} {{in lang|hu}}
*''Back to the future. 10 years of freedom in Central Europe'' (Tallinn, 2001) {{in lang|en}}
*''Észtország története'' (BDTF, 1999) {{ISBN|963-9017-70-1}} {{in lang|hu}}
*''Estonoj tra tempoj'' (Eesti Esperanto Liit, 1998) {{ISBN|9985-9130-3-5}} {{in lang|eo}}
*''Eesti Vabadussõda ja Suurbritannia 1918–1920'' (Tallinn, 1998) {{in lang|et}}
*''{{lang|et|Ajalugu 5. klassile}}'' (Avita, 1997) {{ISBN|978-9985-2-0025-4}} {{in lang|et}}
*''Isamaa ilu hoieldes'' (Välis-Eesti & EMP, 1997) {{in lang|et}}
*''Teine Eesti: Eesti iseseisvuse taassünd'' 1986–1991 (Tallinn, 1996) {{ISBN|9985-854-03-9}} {{in lang|et}}
*''Punane terror'' (Välis-Eesti & EMP, 1996) {{ISBN|978-91-86116-72-9}} {{in lang|et}}
*''Raamat Jakob Hurdast'' (Tartu. 1995) {{in lang|et}}
*''Suurim armastus'' (Välis-Eesti & EMP, 1994) {{in lang|et}}
*''The Challenge for Europe'' (London, 1994) {{ISBN|1-897969-23-6}} {{in lang|en}}
*''Metsavennad'' (Tallinn, 1993) {{ISBN|9985-821-44-0}} {{in lang|et}}
*''Unohdettu sota'' (FinnEpos, 1993) {{ISBN|952-9523-18-1}} {{in lang|fi}}
*''War in the Woods'' (Howells House, 1992) {{ISBN|0-929590-08-2}} {{in lang|en}}
*''14 juuni 1941.a: mälestusi ja dokumente'' (Tallinn, 1990) {{in lang|et}}
*''Kodu lugu'' (Tallinn, 1989) {{in lang|et}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
*
{{Sister project links |wikt=no |commons=Category:Mart Laar |b=no |n=no |q=Mart Laar |s=no |v=no |species=no }}
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Latest revision as of 04:48, 13 December 2024

Estonian politician and historian
Mart Laar
Laar in 2011
9th and 13th
Prime Minister of Estonia
In office
25 March 1999 – 28 January 2002
PresidentLennart Meri
Arnold Rüütel
Preceded byMart Siimann
Succeeded bySiim Kallas
In office
21 October 1992 – 8 November 1994
PresidentLennart Meri
Preceded byTiit Vähi (acting)
Succeeded byAndres Tarand
Minister of Defence
In office
6 April 2011 – 11 May 2012
Prime MinisterAndrus Ansip
Preceded byJaak Aaviksoo
Succeeded byUrmas Reinsalu
Leader of the Isamaa
In office
26 May 2007 – 28 January 2012
Succeeded byUrmas Reinsalu
Personal details
Born (1960-04-22) 22 April 1960 (age 64)
Viljandi, Estonia
Political partyPro Patria
Alma materUniversity of Tartu

Mart Laar (born 22 April 1960) is an Estonian politician and historian. He served as the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1992 to 1994 and from 1999 to 2002. Laar is credited with having helped bring about Estonia's rapid economic development during the 1990s. He is a member of the centre-right Isamaa party.

In April 2011, Mart Laar became Minister of Defence in the cabinet of Prime Minister Andrus Ansip and served until his resignation for reasons of health in May 2012.

In April 2013, Riigikogu appointed Laar as chairman of the supervisory board of the Bank of Estonia, his term beginning on 12 June 2013.

Career

Laar (center) with Kärt Jänes (left) and Hannes Walter (right) at a discussion of ENE at Horisont magazine's headquarters in 1989.

Mart Laar was born in Viljandi. He studied history at the University of Tartu, graduating in 1983; he received his master's degree in philosophy and his doctorate in history in 2005. Laar taught history in Tallinn, and served as president of the Council of Historians of the Foundation of the Estonia Inheritance, the Society for the Preservation of Estonian History, and the Estonian Students' Society. Laar has written many books on Estonian and Soviet history, among them War in the Woods: Estonia's Struggle for Survival, 1944–1956, a book about the Forest Brothers anti-Soviet resistance movement.

Laar's political career began when he became a member of the conservative Pro Patria Union party (which later merged with the more technocratic Res Publica Party in 2006). He was elected prime minister by the Riigikogu on 21 October 1992.

In barely two years, from 1992 to 1994, the radical reforming Estonian government of Mart Laar was the first in Europe to introduce the flat tax, privatized most national industry in transparent public tenders, abolished tariffs and subsidies, stabilized the economy and balanced the budget.

Due to several scandals, Laar was defeated in 1994 by no-confidence vote, when some members of the coalition withdrew their support. Reasons for the vote were publicized details of arms deal with Israel and so called "rouble scandal" - the sale of 2.3 billion Rbls, withdrawn from circulation during the Estonian monetary reform of 1992, to breakaway Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, carried out by Laar's associates at an Estonian private company, Maag, without consulting Parliament.

Five years later, in 1999, Laar returned to the post, with his main policy goals being to pull the economy out of a slump and lead the country toward the European Union. He remained in the post until he stepped down in 2002.

On 18 May 1999 while prime minister, Mart Laar with security advisor Jaan Tross, Võru County head Robert Lepikson and Government Office coordination director Eerik-Niiles Kross used a shotgun to shoot at a photo of Edgar Savisaar, leader of opposition party Keskerakond. Later he explained that during shooting he acted as a private person, not as the prime minister. Mart Laar apologized for this event as Prime Minister and army officer.

Recognition

Laar has multiple Orders from Estonia and other countries.

The results of the radical reforms have been recognized by Cato Institute, which awarded Laar the Cato Institute's Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty in 2006.

The Acton Institute awarded Dr. Laar their Faith & Freedom Award on 24 October 2007.

Mart Laar is member of Honorary Board of the European Association of History Educators (EUROCLIO). He is also a member of the international advisory council of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

The House of Terror Museum in Hungary awarded Mart Laar the Petőfi Prize in 2011 for his contributions to investigating the crimes of communism.

Recent activities

Laar during an EPP summit in September 2010

Together with Václav Havel, Filip Dimitrov, Árpád Göncz, Petr Pithart, Vytautas Landsbergis, Patricio Aylwin and other transition leaders, he participates in the International Committee for Democracy in Cuba.

Laar and Mikheil Saakashvili at the European People's Party summit in 2010

Laar is a member of the International Council of the New York-based Human Rights Foundation and a founding member of the Unitas Foundation.

Minister of finance of Finland Jyrki Katainen, Mart Laar and the chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel in the EPP Summit of 2010

In 2003, Laar received the Wharton Infosys Business Transformation Award brought about the development of electronic systems in Estonia to upgrade the country's infrastructure.

After the Rose Revolution in Georgia, Laar became advisor to the country's president Mikheil Saakashvili and in 2010 received Order of St. George.

In September 2006, Laar announced that he would come out of political retirement to run for the candidacy for prime minister of the new Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica party.

Mart Laar was Mont Pelerin Society member.

On 26 May 2007 he was elected a Chairman of the Union of Pro Patria and Res Publica.

On 18 February 2012 Mart Laar suffered from a stroke and stepped down as Defence Minister three months later. Until October 2012 Laar had still been staying out of the public eye, but was reportedly recovering.

In 2012, the Estonian National Audit Office declassified a 1995 audit about arms deal which caused newspaper Eesti Ekspress to publish a critical article about Laar.

Opposition to same-sex marriage

On 15 May 2023 a public letter was published in the leading Estonian newspaper Postimees, voicing disapprovement of a recent Government policy decision to extend marriage rights to couples of the same gender.

Mart Laar and his fellow signatories signed a statement containing the following:

"Same-sex couples are an insignificant minority in society, while their contribution to the survival of the nation is almost negligible, their contribution to the growth of the nation is nothing as they themselves do not produce offspring. How then can their life together be equated with a traditional marriage?

As the purpose and nature of the way of life of same sex couples is completely different compared to traditional marriage, it remains completely incomprehensible why they are not satisfied with the way of life that suits them which can be called cohabitation. After all, they have been offered an opportunity with the Cohabitation Act But no! In their name, they are now trying to brutally and unquestionably prescribe to the whole nation that all kinds of cohabitation must be called marriage, perhaps ignoring biology."

Relationship with the media

In 1994, the Estonian Newspaper Association declared Laar the Year's Press Friend. This was the first time this award was given; since that, it has been a yearly occurrence. In 2001, Laar was given the complementary award of Year's Press Enemy.

In January 2012, Laar became a meme, when in the heat of the ACTA discussion in Estonia, he explained the disappearance of ACTA-related posts from his Facebook page with "lack of space" in Facebook. Later he clarified that posts were deleted by his page's moderator without his approval and that ACTA requires further discussion.

Published works

References

  1. Page, Kogan Kogan (November 2003). Europe Review 2003/04: The Economic and Business Report – Google Boeken. Kogan Page Publishers. ISBN 9780749440671. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  2. Braithwaite, Rodric (2008). "Misreading Russia". Survival. 50 (4). Routledge: 169–176. doi:10.1080/00396330802329097. S2CID 219638368.
  3. "Mart Laar | IRL". Archived from the original on 2017-04-29. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  4. "Mart Laar becomes Estonia's new Defense Minister". Acus.org. Archived from the original on 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  5. Riigikogu nimetas Laari keskpanga nõukogu esimeheks Archived 2013-11-07 at the Wayback Machine, uudised.err.ee, 23 April 2013.
  7. Hare, P. G; Judy Batt; Saul Estrin (1999). Reconstituting the Market. Routledge. p. 205. ISBN 90-5702-329-6.
  8. Smith, David James (2002). The Baltic States. Routledge. p. 91. ISBN 0-415-28580-1.
  9. Smith, Sebastian (2006). Allah's Mountains: The Battle for Chechnya, New Edition – Sebastian Smith – Google Boeken. Bloomsbury USA. ISBN 9781850439790. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  10. "Baltic Voices". Baltic Voices. Archived from the original on 2012-07-23. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  11. "Archive | No. 1 (3) 2001". The Baltic Course. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  12. "Eesti Päevaleht". Epl.ee. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  13. "Mart Laar 50: kaksteist kaadrit kahekordsest peaministrist – Arvamus". Arvamus.postimees.ee. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  14. ""Mart Laar vassis ja valetas". | Õhtuleht". Ohtuleht.ee. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  15. "m.aripaev.ee". Ap3.ee. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  16. DELFI. "Laar: ma olin pilti tulistades eraisik – Eesti Päevaleht". Epl.ee. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  17. Deevision Webgraphics. "<< Saarlane >> – Eesti uudised: Laar väidab, et peaministrina polegi ta kogu aeg peaminister". Saarlane.ee. Archived from the original on 2016-01-10. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  18. DELFI. "Mart Laari pihtimus – Eesti Päevaleht". Epl.ee. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  19. "Uus raamat «". Martlaar.ee. Archived from the original on 2013-02-13. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  20. "Eesti Vabariigi President 1992–2001 – Ametitegevus – Teenetemärgid – Riigivapp". Vp1992-2001.president.ee. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  21. "m.aripaev.ee". Ap3.ee. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  22. "Riigikogu". Riigikogu.ee. 1960-04-22. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  23. Lindsey, Brink (2006-05-18). "Mart Laar, Friedman Prize Winner | Cato @ Liberty". Cato.org. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  24. "Mart Laar to Receive Acton Institute's Faith & Freedom Award | Acton Institute". Acton.org. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  25. "Honorary Board".
  26. "International Advisory Council". Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. Archived from the original on 2011-06-10. Retrieved 2011-05-20.
  27. Teesalu, Ingrid (2011-12-15). "Laar Receives Award for Shedding Light on Communist Crimes". ERR. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  28. "ICDC: International Committee for Democracy in Cuba". Icdcprague.org. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  29. "Human Rights Foundation – International Council". Thehrf.org. Archived from the original on 2013-05-14. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  30. "Home". Unitas Foundation. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  31. "Wharton Infosys Business Transformation Awards 2003 Honor Innovative Users of Technology; Fujitsu Siemens, ING Direct, Imperial Sugar Company Among the Winners. – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  32. "The President of Georgia awarded Mart Laar with the Order of St. George". Expertclub.ge. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  33. "The Mont Pelerin Society | RNH". Rnh.is. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  34. "Mart Laar Leaves Intensive Care | IRL". Irl.ee. 2012-04-26. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  35. "Mart Laar tendered his resignation to the Prime Minister | IRL". Irl.ee. Archived from the original on 2013-10-17. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
  36. "Mart Laar astub pärast kaheksakuulist vahepausi taas avalikkuse ette" (in Estonian). 19 October 2012.
  37. Ekspress. "Riigisaladuste avalikustamine paljastas Laari vale – Eesti uudised – Eesti Ekspress". Ekspress.ee. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  38. (in Estonian) Eesti Ajalehtede Liit 3 December 1998: Ajalehtede Liit valis viiendaks pressisőbraks president Meri Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
  39. (in Estonian) Eesti Ajalehtede Liit 6 December 2001: 2001. aasta pressisőbraks valiti Ingrid Rüütel
  40. "Dear Minister Laar: The Internet is not running out of space". Toronto Star. 2 February 2012.
  41. "Minister gets caught deleting FB comments, claims he "ran out of Facebook space". Empire Chronicles. 26 January 2012.
  42. "Estonian politician becomes a meme". The Daily Dot. 28 January 2012.
  43. Lomp, Loora-Elisabet (15 May 2023). "Laar postituste kustutamisest: Facebookis sai ruum otsa" (in Estonian). ERR. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013.

External links

Political offices
Preceded byTiit Vähi Prime Minister of Estonia
1992–1994 		Succeeded byAndres Tarand
Preceded byMart Siimann Prime Minister of Estonia
1999–2002 		Succeeded bySiim Kallas
Preceded byJaak Aaviksoo Minister of Defence of Estonia
2011–2012 		Succeeded byUrmas Reinsalu
Heads of government of Estonia
Chairman
of the Council of Ministers
Prime ministers
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