Helga Olsson

**Helga Martinsdatter Olsson** (born 22 September 1982) is an Estian politician from Saarapuu who served as premier of Saarapuu from 2015 until 2018. Olsson additionally has served as leader of the Sarhamm National Party since 2015.

Olsson was born in Orav to a Saarapuu Mede family. After graduating from secondary school in 2001, Olsson enrolled in Orav University, graduating with a degree in political science in 2004. As a teenager, Olsson joined the youth wing of the Sarhamm National Party, later becoming chairwoman of the youth wing from 2003 until 2005, and later beginning a career in elected politics the year afterwards.

Olsson first entered elected politics in 2006, after she was elected to the parliament of Saarapuu in the 2006 Saarapuu parliamentary election. She was later reelected in 2010 and 2014, the latter of which the SNP entered the government. Olsson was nominated to serve as Saarapuu Minister of Social Affairs in the government of Greta Hansson-Samuelsdatter, and emerged as one of Hansson-Samuelsdatter's greatest allies. Following the death of Hansson-Samuelsdatter in May 2015, Olsson succeeded her as premier of Saarapuu, and the Olsson Government was inaugurated. The party fell out of the government following the 2018 election, and Olsson became the leader of the opposition.

## Early life and education

Olsson was born on 22 September 1982 in Orav to parents Martin Olsson (born 1955) and Elisa Andersson (born 1956). Her father worked as a fisherman, while her mother was a preschool teacher. The family lived modestly and considered themselves working-class. Olsson is the second of four children; her siblings include Martin (born 1981), Kristina (born 1985), and Elias (born 1987). Olsson is a Saarapuu Mede, and was raised speaking Medish.

Olsson began her education in 1988, attending a public, primary school in Orav. While in primary school, Olsson was frequently bullied due to her appearance, which led to low self-esteem and depression. She eventually began to build confidence after her mother enrolled her in public speaking classes at age 11. After graduating from primary school in 1998, Olsson enrolled in Orav Gymnasium, studying a social sciences program. She graduated in 2001, and afterwards enrolled in Orav University, receiving a degree in political science in 2004. While a university student, Olsson also served as president of the student council in her final year.

## Political career

### Early politics

Olsson first entered politics as a teenager, joining the Young Sarhamm Nationalists at age 15. Her mother had been active in the women's wing of the Sarhamm National Party, which inspired Olsson's interest in politics. In 2003, Olsson was elected chairwoman of the Young Sarhamm Nationalists, and served in the position until the end of her two-year term in 2005.

In 2006, Olsson entered elected politics, after being elected to the parliament of Saarapuu for the Sarhamm National Party in the 2006 Saarapuu parliamentary election. At 23 years old, she was the youngest woman ever elected to parliament in Saarapuu. She soon began to rise up in the ranks of the party, and was later reelected in 2010 and 2014.

### Saarapuu Minister of Social Affairs

   Following the 2014 election, the Sarhamm National Party won an outright majority in parliament, and entered the government. Led by Greta Hansson-Samuelsdatter, Olsson was nominated to serve as Saarapuu Minister of Social Affairs in the Hansson-Samuelsdatter Government. As Saarapuu Minister of Social Affairs, Olsson was responsible for overseeing social policy within Saarapuu, including social spending, welfare, labour issues, and pensions.

In the position, Olsson emerged as a prominent name within Saarapuu politics, and as a close advisor to Hansson-Samuelsdatter.

### Premier of Saarapuu

On 10 May 2015, Hansson-Samuelsdatter and her husband were involved in a car accident where their vehicle was hit by a drunk driver, pushing their vehicle into the sea. Their bodies were later recovered drowned. Immediately after the announcement of her death, Olsson was appointed by the government as acting premier of Saarapuu. Several hours later she was confirmed by parliament as the new premier in an emergency vote. She also became leader of the Sarhamm National Party.

   After assuming the premiership, the Olsson Government was inaugurated, largely consisting of the same members of the Hansson-Samuelsdatter Government. She immediately made it the government's priority to pass new anti-drunk driving policies, specifically in regards to the death of the victims. In her government's program, Olsson additionally pledged to prioritize increased social spending and a referendum on the status of Saarapuu.

In the 2018 Saarapuu parliamentary election, the party lost its governing majority despite remaining the largest party in parliament. However, the Union Party negotiated a coalition agreement with the Conservative Party, which allowed them to enter the government. Olsson subsequently became the leader of the opposition, while remaining the leader of the Sarhamm National Party.

## Personal life

Olsson married Zizak-Medish economist Ali Takariyev in 2008, after two years of dating. Takariyev is a professor of economics at Orav University. They have two children together: Nicolas (born 2011) and Lisa (born 2013). The family resides in Orav.

Olsson is fluent in Medish, Estian, and Ditrovian.