Pevkur rules out next election after 25 years in politics

Former minister Hanno Pevkur says he will not run in the next election after 25 years in politics, ERR reported. He told the television programme Pealtnägija that demanding ministerial work had affected his health on several occasions, including once when he collapsed and missed a flight.

Pevkur said he had weighed the decision carefully and discussed it with his family, the prime minister and members of his party. He plans to focus on work in the private sector and contribute to society as a taxpayer. Until then, he will continue serving his parliamentary mandate.

He said he had no regrets about his political career, including not becoming prime minister. Pevkur also said he would not switch parties and that he did not know whether he might return to politics in the future.

Pevkur has spent 20 years as a member of parliament and 12 years in government. He began working as head of Nõmme district in 2003, entered parliament in 2007 and became social affairs minister in 2009.