Riigihoidja
Encyclopedia
Riigihoidja was the name of the office of the head of state
and head of government
of Estonia
from 3 September 1937 to 24 April 1938. The only person to hold this position was Konstantin Päts
, five time former State Elder. His eventual successor ex officio was Johan Laidoner
, then Commander-in-Chief
.
According to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia Amendment Act, initiated by the citizens initiative and approved by the people on the referendum on October 14, 15, and 16, 1933, (Riigi Teataja October 28, 1933 No. 86 Article 628) which entered into force on the 100th day after the referendum or January 24, 1934, the Elder of State
was the representative of the people who executed the highest administrative power in the State. For governing the State, there was by the Elder of State the Government of the Republic (Section 57) appointed by the Elder of State and chaired by the Prime Minister (Section 64). By the Resolution No. 173 from March 12, 1934 (Riigi Teataja March 16, 1934 No. 22 Art 56), Konstantin Päts declared the state of national emergency for 6 months, which was later prolonged. During the state of national emergency, the elections of the Elder of State were not organised and Konstantin Päts as the Prime Minister acted as the Elder of State.
In accordance with the Period of Transition Act, which was proclaimed August 17, 1937 by Konstantin Päts as Prime Minister in duties of the Elder of State, and entered into force on September 3, 1937 after publication in the Riigi Teataja (September 3, 1937 nr 71 art 598) the Prime Minister continued to fulfil his duties in the official status of the Protector of State in duties of the Elder of State until the new Riigikogu had been convened.
He was also his own successor as first President from 24 April 1938 until 23 July 1940, formally until shortly after Soviet troops had occupied Estonia in June 1940.
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
and head of government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
of Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
from 3 September 1937 to 24 April 1938. The only person to hold this position was Konstantin Päts
Konstantin Päts
Konstantin Päts VR I/1 and III/1 was the most influential politician of interwar Estonia. He was one of the first Estonians to become active in politics and started an almost 40-year political rivalry with Jaan Tõnisson, first through journalism with his newspaper Teataja, later through politics...
, five time former State Elder. His eventual successor ex officio was Johan Laidoner
Johan Laidoner
Johan Laidoner was a seminal figure of Estonian history between the world wars. His highest position was Commander-in-chief of the Estonian Army in 1918–1920, 1924–1925, and 1934–1940.-Education:Laidoner was born in Viiratsi , Governorate of Livonia, then part of the Russian Empire...
, then Commander-in-Chief
Commander-in-Chief
A commander-in-chief is the commander of a nation's military forces or significant element of those forces. In the latter case, the force element may be defined as those forces within a particular region or those forces which are associated by function. As a practical term it refers to the military...
.
According to the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia Amendment Act, initiated by the citizens initiative and approved by the people on the referendum on October 14, 15, and 16, 1933, (Riigi Teataja October 28, 1933 No. 86 Article 628) which entered into force on the 100th day after the referendum or January 24, 1934, the Elder of State
State Elder of Estonia
The Head of State of Estonia was the official title of the Estonian head of state and head of government from 1920 to 1937...
was the representative of the people who executed the highest administrative power in the State. For governing the State, there was by the Elder of State the Government of the Republic (Section 57) appointed by the Elder of State and chaired by the Prime Minister (Section 64). By the Resolution No. 173 from March 12, 1934 (Riigi Teataja March 16, 1934 No. 22 Art 56), Konstantin Päts declared the state of national emergency for 6 months, which was later prolonged. During the state of national emergency, the elections of the Elder of State were not organised and Konstantin Päts as the Prime Minister acted as the Elder of State.
In accordance with the Period of Transition Act, which was proclaimed August 17, 1937 by Konstantin Päts as Prime Minister in duties of the Elder of State, and entered into force on September 3, 1937 after publication in the Riigi Teataja (September 3, 1937 nr 71 art 598) the Prime Minister continued to fulfil his duties in the official status of the Protector of State in duties of the Elder of State until the new Riigikogu had been convened.
He was also his own successor as first President from 24 April 1938 until 23 July 1940, formally until shortly after Soviet troops had occupied Estonia in June 1940.