New ministers Riina Sikkut and Janek Mäggi took an oath of office

Stenbock House, 2 May 2018 – taking an oath before the parliament, new Minister of Health and Labour Riina Sikkut and new Minister of Public Administration Janek Mäggi undertook the positions.

“I wish a good enthusiasm and quick orientation for our new ministers in their positions. I welcome them to the team, which has a purpose of making Estonian society more coherent, equal, and sustainable. Every minister is trusted with a field of great responsibility. I am certain that by accepting these positions, Riina Sikkut and Janek Mäggi felt mentally secure and driven to contribute to advancing Estonian society. I wish them luck as politicians and believe that the new ministers bring with them a fresh look on how we can all together advance the life in Estonia even more substantially,” said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas.

Riina Sikkut, Minister of Health and Labour, worked as an adviser of social and health policy in the Strategy Unit of the Government Office since 2017. In 2011–2017, Sikkut was the health policy programme analyst and in 2012–2013 a programme manager at the socio-economic research centre Praxis. Sikkut also worked at Praxis as a research assistant in 2003–2004 and 2005. She has also worked at Swedbank and the Ministry of Finance. Sikkut was born on 12 January 1983 and has graduated from the Vinni-Pajusti High School. Sikkut obtained her Bachelor’s degree in economy at the University of Tartu. In 2010, she became Master of Science in health policy upon graduating from the University of London in the United Kingdom.

Janek Mäggi, Minister of Public Administration, is the founder of the public relations agency Powerhouse, founded in 2000, and he was, until now, the manager. In 1997–2000, Mäggi worked as the vice president of Ühispank (now SEB Pank). Among other things, he has hosted an economy-themed television show on ETV called Miljon senti (A Million Cents) and worked as a journalist in the editor’s office of Äripäev. As of 2015, Mäggi is the vice-chairman of the Board of the Estonian Academy of Arts. Janek Mäggi is one of the co-founders of the SA Hille Tänavsuu Vähiravifond ‘Kingitud Elu’ (‘The Gift of Life’), which was founded in 2014. As of 2005, he is the chairman of the council for Tallinn Children’s Hospital Foundation. Janek Mäggi was born in 1973. He graduated from the School of Law of the University of Tartu in 1999, which is equivalent to having a Master’s degree.

The Pictures from taking the oath of office can be viewed here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/724eg6rvrh3rvdh/AABcF1xvYvyLioy6EDAeUuqQa?dl=0

Biographies of the ministers:
Riina Sikut: https://www.valitsus.ee/en/minister-health-and-labour-riina-sikkut
Janek Mäggi: https://www.valitsus.ee/en/minister-public-administration-janek-maggi