Following the appointment of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas as the next head of European diplomacy, the ruling Estonian Reform Party has called a meeting to name a candidate for head of government this Saturday.
The head of government met with the party leadership yesterday to draw up a “road map” which he hopes will be swift.
The party’s general secretary, Timo Suslov, explained that leaders agree that it is best to “move forward as quickly as possible” with the aim of avoiding a “period of uncertainty”.
The party will meet again on Saturday to finalize the nomination.
Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, who has been named as a possible candidate, made it clear he would not run, in a message posted on Facebook in which he appealed for the “stability” of the party and Estonia.
Bevkur, referring to the war in Ukraine, ruled out the possibility of a serious government crisis and said he wanted to remain as defense minister within the coalition launched in 2023, which would theoretically last until the 2027 elections.
Bevcoor’s ‘no’ paves the way for climate minister Kristen Mitchell, who confirmed her preference after Callas.
“I spoke to colleagues across the country and tomorrow [sábado] I will run for prime minister for the Reform Party,” Michal told public broadcaster ERR.
At Thursday’s European Council, European Union (EU) leaders appointed the Estonian prime minister as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, but Kaja Kallas still has to vote in the European Parliament.
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