Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip has announced his decision to resign, after nine years in office, paving the way for a successor to lead his party into 2015 elections.
Mr Ansip,57 implemented harsh austerity measures as Estonia was hit by recession after the financial crisis that caused Europe to tighten its belt. The PM was instrumental in bring Estonia into the Euro zone in 2011 and has since boosted the profile of his country on the global stage.
Before his entry into politics Ansip trained as a chemist, before working in banking and business. He entered Parliament in 2004, quickly becoming Minister of Economic Affairs, and subsequently Prime Minister in April 2005.
President Toomas Hendrik Ilves now has 14 days to come up with a candidate to replace Ansip as Estonian law dictates that with the prime minister’s resignation the incumbent government comes to an end.
Mr Ansip is currently evaluating his future options but has indicated that Brussels may be his next port of call.
