Maris Lauri to become President Madise’s economic adviser

Estonian MP and economic analyst Maris Lauri will become President Ülle Madise’s economic adviser on November 2, ERR reported. Lauri will leave parliament, will not run in the 2027 parliamentary election and will resign from the Reform Party board.

Madise said Lauri’s experience was both unique and extensive. “Maris is a leading expert with long experience in economics and finance. Her fact- and data-based approach to addressing the challenges facing Estonia and the world will make a significant contribution to making the best choices and decisions,” the president said.

Madise also praised Lauri’s understanding of society and personal warmth.

Lauri became known as an economic analyst at Hansabank and later Swedbank, where she also worked as a department head from 1998 to 2011. Before joining Hansabank, she worked as an analyst at Eesti Pank, Estonia’s central bank, and Tallinn Bank.

She studied economic cybernetics at the University of Tartu, graduating with a degree as a mathematician and economist. In 1994, she earned a master’s degree in economics from the university.

Lauri has served in three consecutive terms in Estonia’s parliament, the Riigikogu. She was deputy chair of its Finance Committee from 2019 to 2021 and deputy chair of its special committee for budget oversight during the current term. She has also served as finance minister from 2014 to 2015, education and research minister in 2016, and justice minister from 2021 to 2022.

Toomas Järveoja will take Lauri’s seat in parliament as her substitute member.