Arnold Rüütel’s 96-year life speaks of the complex fate of the Estonian people.
His father’s wish for his son to become a farmer took Arnold Rüütel from his home in Saaremaa to the mainland, where his agricultural education culminated in the position of Rector of the present Estonian University of Life Sciences and then in the management of Estonian agriculture in Tallinn.
Through the years, Arnold Rüütel was part of the local top management, but maintained his ties with agriculture and the countryfolk.
Defender of Estonia’s demand for sovereignty in Moscow
Arnold Rüütel was one of the people who helped Estonia break free from the shackles of Soviet occupation and declare itself a free country. In November 1988, he defended the sovereignty of Estonia before the central government in Moscow, with which the people’s representatives at the time declared the supremacy of its laws on Estonian territory. In essence, it marked the legal beginning of the Estonian people’s journey to freedom.
Arnold Rüütel was one of the initiators of Baltic cooperation and one of the unifiers of the independence aspirations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In the critical days of the August coup of 1991, he helped the Estonian people find courage and peace. He was among those who voted for the restoration of the independent Republic of Estonia on 20 August 1991.
After the restoration of independence, Arnold Rüütel was active in party politics. The record number of votes he received in the 1995 Riigikogu elections showed that people trusted him. Arnold Rüütel was the Vice-President of the Riigikogu from 1995 to 1997.
President of the people and driving force for European integration
In 2001, Arnold Rüütel became President of the Republic by a vote of the electoral body. As head of state, he pointed out the risk of division in Estonian society and initiated the process of a social pact. Rüütel set himself the goal of being the president of all Estonia, both city and countryfolk.
Estonia joined NATO and the European Union during President Rüütel’s term of office. President Rüütel’s authority, explanations and positive attitude helped ensure that more than 66% of the votes were in favour of Estonia joining the European Union.
The preservation of nature and the survival of our nation were always important to President Rüütel. Estonia always stood by him, as he stood by Estonia.
We can be grateful to Arnold Rüütel for living his life for Estonia.
Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of President Arnold Rüütel.
President of the Republic Alar Karis
President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar
Prime Minister Kristen Michal
