esimees

Esimees is an Estonian term meaning chairperson or presiding officer. It denotes the person who leads and presides over meetings, committees, councils, organizations, or political parties. The title is used across formal bodies as well as informal groups and can refer to roles such as the chair of a board, a committee, a council, or a party leadership.

In corporate and organizational contexts, the esimees often presides over meetings, sets agendas, enforces rules of procedure, and represents the body in external matters. In government and legislature, the title is used for the presiding officer of a body; for example, the Speaker of the Riigikogu is called the Riigikogu esimees. The esimees chairs plenary sessions, coordinates deliberations, and signs official documents issued by the body. In political parties, the esimees (often translated as chairman or leader) leads party activities, oversees internal processes, and represents the party publicly. The exact powers and duties of an esimees vary by institution and statutory rules.

Etymology-wise, esimees combines elements indicating leadership and headship, reflecting its core function of guiding a group. The term is gender-neutral in Estonian usage and is applicable to both male and female holders of the position.