Otto Strandman
Otto August Strandman (Estonian pronunciation: [ˈoto ˈɑugust ˈstrɑnd.man]; 30 November [O.S. 18 November] 1875 – 5 February 1941) was an Estonian politician, who served as Prime Minister (1919) and State Elder of Estonia (1929–1931).
Otto Strandman | |
|---|---|
Otto Strandman c. 1929–1930 | |
| 10th State Elder of Estonia | |
| In office 9 July 1929 – 12 February 1931 | |
| Preceded by | August Rei |
| Succeeded by | Konstantin Päts |
| 1st Prime Minister of Estonia | |
| In office 9 May 1919 – 18 November 1919 | |
| Preceded by | Konstantin Päts as Prime Minister of the Provisional Government |
| Succeeded by | Jaan Tõnisson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Otto August Strandman 30 November 1875 Vandu, Kreis Wierland, Governorate of Estonia, Russian Empire |
| Died | 5 February 1941 (aged 65) Kadrina, Estonia |
| Political party | Estonian Radical Socialist Party (1917) Estonian Labour Party (1917–1932) National Centre Party (1932–1935) Independent (1935–1941) |
| Spouse | Lydia Strandman (née Hindrikson) |
| Alma mater | University of Tartu Saint Petersburg Imperial University |
| Profession | Lawyer, politician, diplomat |
Strandman was one of the leaders of the centre-left Estonian Labour Party, that saw its biggest support after the 1919 and 1920 elections. Strandman was a key figure in composing the radical land reform law and the 1920 Constitution. He also served as Minister of Agriculture (1918–1919), Minister of Justice (acting 1918; 1920–1921), Minister of Finance (1924), Minister of Foreign Affairs (1918, 1920–1921 and 1924) and Minister of War (1919). While he was holding the office of the Minister of Finance, he stabilized the economy and managed to avoid hyperinflation. Strandman served as the speaker of the Estonian Provincial Assembly in 1917–1918, and as speaker of the newly independent country's parliament (Riigikogu) in 1921. He was also a diplomat, serving as the Estonian envoy in Warsaw, Poland (1927–1929), and in Paris, France (1933–1939).
After the Soviet Union invaded and occupied Estonia and the other Baltic states in June 1940, Strandman committed suicide in February 1941, after being called to appear at the local headquarters of the NKVD.