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Rein Lang

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Rein Lang (born July 4 1957 in Tartu, Estonia) is an Estonian politician, a member of the Estonian Reform Party since 1995, and a diplomat. He is currently serving as the Minister of Justice.[1]

Childhood and education

Lang's father was appointed to work at the Soviet embassy in Helsinki.[2] Consequently, Rein Lang grew partly up in Finland, becoming a fluent speaker of Finnish. He has championed Finnish-Estonian relations. Lang got the basic and highschool education in Tallinn English College (then known as 7th Highscool of Tallinn) and graduated cum laude from University of Tartu in 1980, acquiring a degree in law.[1]

Business career

In late years of the Soviet Union — since 1986 —, Lang worked in the entertainment business. He has been a deputy director of the Linnahall and in 1989 became a deputy director of club 'Muusik' (Estonian for 'Musician'). In 1990, he became CEO of AS Laulusillad (Estonian for Song Bridges), and in 1991–2001 served at various positions in AS TRIO, along with Hans H. Luik establishing and running the first politically independent radio station in post-Soviet Estonia, Radio Kuku. Over the next several years, Lang launched two more radio stations, Radio Uuno, a music-only radio station, and the Russian language Radio Tallinn (later renamed Radio 100). In 2002, Lang and Luik sold their radio interest to their then co-partner from the United States, Metromedia International Inc.

Media career

In Radio Kuku, Lang regularly appeared in talkshows, ending up gaining considerable reputation as a political analyst. His most popular programme, the weekly 'Midday Hour' (Template:Lang-et), has become legendary, and a subject of a number of jokes mostly associated with Valdo Jahilo.

Political career

Following his departure from the media business, Lang served as deputy mayor of Tallinn in 2001–2003 and as a member of Riigikogu in 2003–2005. He served as the Deputy Speaker of Riigikogu and Chairman of its European Affairs Committee. In 2005, Lang was the minister of Foreign Affairs for two months, from February to April. With the resignation of Juhan Parts, the ten prime minister, a new cabinet was proposed by Andrus Ansip; there, Lang would serve as the Minister of Justice, a position he officially took when the government was sworn in on April 12, 2005.

Controversial "Delfi bill"

In autumn of 2005, Lang initiated a bill that would have allowed to penalise web portals for anonymous commentary left by their visitors. The bill, nicknamed after an Estonian web portal commonly associated with poorly thought out and scatological commentary, was widely criticised and ended up rejected by Riigikogu.[3] Among other concerns, critics commonly pointed out that Delfi belonged to a media concern competing with AS TRIO, and questioned the minister's neutrality.

The Ministry of Culture can only be tidied up by a grenade, thrown in through its window.[4]

Lang's 50th Birthday Party Controversy

On July 4, 2007, Rein Lang celebrated his 50th birthday at a beer restaurant in Tartu, Estonia.[5] The party featured the one-actor play Adolf by Pip Utton, an acclaimed anti-fascist[6][7] drama. Lang asked the guests to come in period costumes; however he pointed out that 1930s in Germany were characterised by poverty, and that the event was not intended as a fancy dress party; specifically, guests wouldn't be expected to arrive in uniforms or bearing Nazi symbols. When Adolf was performed in Tartu theatre Vanemuine the stage was decorated with Nazi flag.[5][7]

Russian media spun this event as the minister "decorating his birthday with swastikas".[8][9][10] These claims were widely reflected by Estonian media.[8]. Estonian political party Rahvaliit made calls in Estonian media for the Minister of Justice to resign over the event, accusing him of irresponsible behavior, enabling Russian media and politicans to use the event as an illustration to the alleged pro-Nazi sentiments in Estonia. The Nochnoy Dozor also demanded that the minister resign.[11]Lang stated "The Republic of Estonia has condemned Nazi crimes and my birthday was attended by people who, without exception, despise fascism."[7]

References

  1. ^ a b http://www.just.ee/minister
  2. ^ Postimees February 22, 2005: Soome ajaleht: Lang on «kõva pähkel»
  3. ^ delfi.ee November 1, 2005: Sõnavabadus internetis ohus
  4. ^ Keskpäevatund, quoted in Sõnavabadus internetis ohus
  5. ^ a b Eesti Ekspress July 4, 2007: Langi juubelil "Adolf" by Alan Proosa
  6. ^ Pip Utton, describing the play on a promotional website.
  7. ^ a b c Eesti Päevaleht July 9, 2007: REIN LANG: Mis siis tegelikult toimus?
  8. ^ a b Postimees July 6, 2007: Rein Langi juubelipidu äratas huvi Vene meedias
  9. ^ Eesti Päevaleht July 6, 2007: Vene meedia haaras Rein Langi sünnipäeva mõnuga hambusse, edited by Tuuli Aug
  10. ^ REGNUM July 5, 2007: Estonian justice minister “decorates” his birthday party with swastika
  11. ^ ITAR-TASS July 5, 2007: Estonian minister marks jubilee under aegis of Nazi Swastika
Template:Incumbent succession box
Preceded by Minister of Foreign Affairs
February 2005 – April 2005 		Succeeded by
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