Andres Tarand

Who is Andres Tarand?

Andres Tarand is an Estonian politician who served as the Prime Minister of Estonia from 1994 to 1995. He was also a Member of the European Parliament for the Social Democratic Party, part of the Party of European Socialists, between 2004 and 2009.

Born in Tallinn, Tarand graduated from the University of Tartu with a degree in climatology in 1963. After receiving his first degree he continued his studies at Tartu receiving a second degree in geography in 1973. He continued to do research at Tartu, eventually becoming director of research in 1979, to 1981.

Besides serving as director of research at University of Tartu, Tarand has also been a member of the board for the university, since 1996, as well as director of the Tallinn Botanical Gardens, from 1988–1990.

Tarand has also been a member of the Estonian Parliament from 1992 to 2004. While in parliament Tarand served as the Minister for the Environment of Estonia twice, 1992 to 1994 and 1994 to 1995, as well as his term as Prime Minister. He was elected to the European Parliament in 2004.