Estonian PM steps down to take EU job

The leaders of the European Union (EU) selected Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas to manage their foreign policy department, therefore she resigned on Monday to take on the role.

Kallas, who has been in charge of the Baltic state since 2021, sent the president her letter of resignation but will stay in her position until a new administration is established and sworn in.

“This was a very hard time,” Kallas, who was the first woman prime minister of Estonia, told Estonian public radio in a Monday interview describing her tenure.

“I started when the Covid crisis was at its peak and I was probably the only prime minister who immediately after being sworn in went to a government meeting and started making decisions,” she added.

Later this summer, the departing premier is anticipated to step down from her position as leader of the Reform party.

Though Kallas, a tough critic of Russia, was selected last month to be the EU’s next top diplomat, the European Parliament has not yet had a chance to vote on her nomination.

Talks to form a new government are underway between the ruling coalition of Kallas Reform, Social Democrats, and Estonia 200.

Kristen Michal, the current minister of climate change, has been selected by Reform to run for prime minister.

Alar Karis, the president of Estonia, will now confer with the parties to determine who to approach to succeed Kallas.

AFP