The former president of Estonia, who prepared the country’s declaration of independence, has died

The former President of Estonia (2001-2006) Arnold Rüütel died at the age of 96 on the evening of Tuesday, December 31. This was reported by the office of the current President Alar Karis, writes Postimees.

Ruutel was born on May 10, 1928. He started his career in the agricultural industry: in 1969-1977 he was the rector of the Estonian Agricultural Academy (graduated in 1964), and had a PhD in agricultural science.

1977 became a member of the Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Estonia. In 1979 – 1983 was the first deputy chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Estonian SSR. In 1983, he received the post of head of the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Estonian SSR.

Five years later, Arnold Rüütel played a major role in the preparation of the Declaration of Estonian Sovereignty. Under Rüütel’s leadership, on May 8, 1990, the Supreme Council adopted a law reviving the 1938 Constitution of the independent Republic of Estonia. In 1991 – 1992 he was a member of the Constitutional Assembly, which drafted the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia.

In 1992, he ran for president for the first time, winning the first round with a score of 43%, but losing the second. He tried to become president in 1996, but failed in the second round.

The third attempt was successful for Ruutel – he became president in 2001. In 2006 he ran for a second term, but he failed to win.

Arnold Rüütel married folklorist Ingrid Rüütel (born 1935), with whom they raised two daughters, Maris and Anneli. The former president of Estonia is survived by six grandchildren.

In the United States, the country’s 39th president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jimmy Carter (1977-1981), died at the age of 100.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s younger brother Nick has died aged 60 after a long battle with cancer.