Former Estonian finance minister Lauri to become president's economic adviser

Maris Lauri, a member of the Riigikogu (Estonia's parliament) and a former finance minister, will start work as economic adviser to President Ülle Madise on November 2. Lauri represents the Reform Party and will leave parliament when she takes up the new post.

She will not stand in the 2027 parliamentary elections and will also step down from the Reform Party board.

The president's assessment

Madise said Lauri's experience is both unique and extensive. The president described her as a top expert with long experience in economics and finance. According to Madise, Lauri's approach, based on facts and data, to the problems facing Estonia and the world will help in making the best choices and decisions.

Beyond her deep economic knowledge, the president also said she valued Lauri's social awareness and personal warmth.

Career

Lauri first became known as an economic analyst at Hansapank and later at Swedbank, where she also served as a department head from 1998 to 2011. Before joining Hansapank, she worked as an economic analyst at the Bank of Estonia.

She graduated from Kohtla-Järve Secondary School No. 1 and then studied economic cybernetics at the University of Tartu, earning a diploma in mathematics and economics. In 1994 she received a master's degree in economics from the same university.

Lauri served as Estonia's finance minister from 2014 to 2015, minister of education and research in 2016, and minister of justice from 2021 to 2022.