Jan-Erik Enestam

Jan-Erik Enestam (born 12 March 1947 in Västanfjärd) 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.

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

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 Party leader of the Swedish People's Party, 1998–2006 Minister of Defence, from 15 April 1999 to 17 April 2003 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 Enestam earned a degree from the Åbo Akademi University in Turku.

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