Pevkur founded company six days before announcing political exit

Former Estonian defence minister Hanno Pevkur founded a company six days before announcing he would leave politics, ERR reports.

Pevkur said on Wednesday that he would not run in the next parliamentary election and was leaving politics. He resigned as defence minister in September and said he was looking for opportunities in the private sector.

According to the business register, Siil Strategic Advisory OÜ was established on October 29 and is owned by Pevkur. The company has share capital of one euro and lists business and other management consultancy as its field of activity.

It is not known whom Pevkur plans to advise or what services he intends to offer. He told ERR by text message that he had no comment because the company had not started operating. He added that he hoped to contribute to Estonia’s development as a taxpayer.

Pevkur also serves on the boards of the Estonian Olympic Committee, the Estonian Reform Party and the Estonian Volleyball Association.

“I have been in politics for 25 years, held a parliamentary mandate for 20 years and been a member of the government for 12 years. That is a very long time,” Pevkur told ERR on Wednesday. He said he had considered carefully what he wanted to do next and had decided not to stand in the next election. He will continue to serve in parliament until then.

Pevkur said his decision was based on several factors, including the atmosphere within his party, political culture more broadly, his health and personal ambitions.