Estonia’s first female Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, has resigned from her position on Monday to take up the role of the European Union’s next Foreign Policy Chief, following her nomination by EU leaders.
Leading the Baltic state since 2021, Kallas submitted her resignation letter to the Estonian President but will continue in office until a new government is formed and sworn in.
“This was a very challenging period,” Kallas said in an interview with Estonian public radio on Monday, reflecting on her tenure.
“I took office during the peak of the Covid crisis and immediately attended a government meeting to start making decisions.”
The outgoing Prime Minister is also expected to step down as the leader of her Reform Party later this summer.
Known for her critical stance on Russia, Kallas was nominated as the EU’s top diplomat last month, pending approval by the European Parliament.
Discussions are underway among Estonia’s ruling coalition parties – Reform, Social Democrats, and Estonia 200 – to form a new government.
The Reform Party has selected the current Climate Minister, Kristen Michal, as their candidate for prime minister.
Estonian President Alar Karis will hold consultations with the parties to determine the next steps in replacing Kallas.
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