Jan-Erik Enestam (born 12 March 1947 in Västanfjärd)[1] is a Finnish politician from the Swedish People's Party. He served as Minister of Defence from 1999 to 2003 under Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen and Minister of the Environment under Prime Ministers Anneli Jäätteenmäki and Matti Vanhanen from 2003 to 2006.

Jan-Erik Enestam
Enestam in 2005.
Minister of the Environment
In office
17 April 2003 – 31 December 2006
Prime MinisterMatti Vanhanen
Preceded byJouni Backman
Succeeded byStefan Wallin
Minister of Defence
In office
15 April 1999 – 17 April 2003
Prime MinisterPaavo Lipponen
Preceded byAnneli Taina
Succeeded byMatti Vanhanen
Leader of the Swedish People’s Party
In office
1998–2006
Preceded byOle Norrback
Succeeded byStefan Wallin
Member of the Parliament of Finland
In office
22 March 1991 – 20 March 2007
Personal details
Born (1947-03-12) 12 March 1947 (age 77)
Västanfjärd, Finland
Political partySwedish People’s Party
SpouseSolveig Dahlqvist
Children3
Alma materÅbo Akademi University
OccupationPolitician


Enestam was the Municipal Director of Västanfjärd between 1978 and 1983 and a Project Chief at the Nordic Council of Ministers during the period 1983–1991. He was a member of Finland's parliament, the Eduskunta, from 1991 until 2007 and a member of the government between 1995 and 2006 in various posts.

He led the Swedish People's Party from 1998 until 2006. He was succeeded by Stefan Wallin as leader at the beginning of 2007.

Career

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Some previous posts he has held are:

  • Government of Åland, Head of Office, 1974–1978
  • Municipality of Västanfjärd, Municipal Manager, 1978–1983
  • Nordic Council of Ministers, Project Manager for Archipelago Cooperation, 1983–1991
  • Municipal Council of Västänfjärd, Chairperson, 1989–1996
  • Special Adviser to the Minister of Defence, 1990–1991
  • Member of Parliament, 1991 onwards
  • Minister of Defence, from 2 January 1995 to 13 April 1995
  • Minister at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (equality affairs), from 2 January 1995 to 13 April 1995
  • Minister of the Interior, from 13 April 1995 to 15 April 1999[2]
  • Party leader of the Swedish People's Party, 1998–2006
  • Minister of Defence, from 15 April 1999 to 17 April 2003[3]
  • Minister at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Nordic cooperation and cooperation with the neighbouring regions), from 15 April 1999 to 17 April 2003
  • Minister of Environment from 17 April 2003 to 1 January 2007
  • Director of the Secretariat of the Nordic council from 1 August 2007 – 2013

Personal life

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Enestam earned a degree from the Åbo Akademi University in Turku.

He was married to Solveig V. Dahlqvist in 1979 and has three children.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Lundberg, Stefan. ""För fin" för att bli handelsman". www.hbl.fi (in Swedish). Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Council of State – Ministers of Interior". Valtioneuvosto.fi. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  3. ^ "Council of State – Ministers of Defence". Valtioneuvosto.fi. Retrieved 2 January 2018.
  4. ^ Publications, Europa (2003). The International Who's Who 2004. Psychology Press. p. 493. ISBN 9781857432176.
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Political offices
Preceded by Finnish Minister of Defence
1999–2003
Succeeded by
Preceded by Finnish Minister of the Environment
2003–2007
Succeeded by
Party political offices
Preceded by Leader of the Swedish People's Party
1998–2006
Succeeded by
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by Secretary-General of the Nordic Council
2007–2013
Succeeded by