Introduction
Ivari Padar (born 12 March 1965) is an Estonian politician. He is a former Minister of Finance, Minister of Agriculture and chairman of the Estonian Social Democratic Party.
Padar was born in Navi, Võru Parish, Võru. He was Deputy Mayor of Võru from 1993-94, Executive Chairman of the Võru Farmers Union from 1994-95, and Assistant to the Chancellor at the Finance Ministry from 1995-97. He was Minister of Agriculture from 1999-2002, Chairman of Võru City Council from 2002-05, and a member of the Riigikogu from 2003-07. In April 2007 he became Minister of Finance. He led the Social Democratic Party from 2003 to 2009. In 2009 he was elected Member of the European Parliament.
He is a member of the Reconciliation of European Histories Group.
Personal
Judoka Martin Padar is Ivari Padar's cousin.