Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas stepped down on Monday to take up a new job as the European Union’s foreign policy chief after she was tapped for the job by the bloc’s leaders.
Kallas, 47, has emerged as a strong critic of neighbouring Russia and what she says are its expansionist aims since she became prime minister in early 2021. She has pressed Estonia’s allies in NATO and the EU to provide unconditional support for Ukraine in its struggle to push back Moscow’s invading forces.
Under her leadership, Estonia, a small Baltic republic of 1.4 million people, has become one of the biggest donors of military aid to Ukraine on a per capita basis.
The ruling coalition of Kallas’ Reform, Social Democrats, and Estonia 200 are in talks to form a new government.
Reform has chosen the current climate minister Kristen Michal as their candidate for prime minister.
Estonian President Alar Karis will now hold discussions with the parties, and decide who to approach about replacing Kallas.
Kallas – is expected to remain in office until a new government is formed and sworn in.
Her party will elect its new leader on September 8.
