Hanno Pevkur
Estonian Minister of Defence
Hanno Pevkur is the Minister of Defence of the Republic of
Estonia since 17 April 2023. He became a member of the
Estonian Reform Party in 2000 and is currently also a
Member of the Board of the Estonian Reform Party. In
2017–2018, he was the Chairman of Reform Party.
Pevkur has held several distinguished posts in Estonian
governments, the Estonian Parliament (Riigikogu) and also in
local governments. Prior to his appointment as the Estonian
Minister of Defence, Pevkur was a member of the 13th and 14th Riigikogu in 2016–2022,
and in 2021–2022 he served as the First Vice-President of the Riigikogu. Pevkur’s first
parliamentary term was in 2007–2009, when he was a member of the 11th Riigikogu. In
2011, he was re-elected to the 12th Riigikogu. In the parliament Pevkur has been a
member of the Legal Affairs Committee, Deputy Chairman and Chairman of Estonian
Reform Party faction (2016–2017), Second Vice-President of Riigikogu (2017–2018), and
Deputy Chairman of the Security Authorities Surveillance Select Committee (2018–2021).
As of 17.02.2023 Hanno Pevkur is currently serving his second mandate as the Minister of
Defence, consecutively after the first period from 18.07.2022–17.04.2023.
Between 2009-2016 he held three successive ministerial posts: in 2014–2016, he was the
Minister of the Interior, in 2012–2014, he served as the Minister of Justice, and in 2009–
2012, he was the Minister of Social Affairs (responsible for work, health, and social
protection).
In 2005–2007, he was a member of the Tallinn City Council, Chairman of the Nõmme
District Administrative Board, and worked as an advisor to the Minister of Justice. In 2000–
2005, he was active in the Nõmme District Administration, first as an administrative
secretary and later as city district elder. Before 2000, Pevkur worked as a lawyer in public
and private sectors.
In 1998, Hanno Pevkur graduated from the Tallinn School of Economics with a degree in
law, and in 2002 he graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of Tartu.
In addition to his political career, Hanno Pevkur has been very active in promoting sports
both in Estonia and internationally. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Estonian
Olympic Committee and has been the President of the Estonian Volleyball Federation since
2012. In 2015–2020, he was the Vice-President of European Volleyball Confederation, and
in 2016–2021 he was a Member of the Board of Administration of International Volleyball
Federation.
Hanno Pevkur was born in Iisaku, Ida-Viru County on 2 April 1977. He is married and the
father of a son and a daughter. His hobbies include volleyball, golf, basketball, and
football.