Estonia’s Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has resigned from her position as the leader of the Baltic nation to assume the role of the European Union’s foreign policy chief later this year. Kallas, who holds the distinction of being Estonia’s first female prime minister, formally submitted her resignation to President Alar Karis during a short meeting at Tallinn’s Presidential Palace.
She has called upon Estonia’s NATO and EU allies to provide steadfast backing to Ukraine amidst its conflict against Moscow’s invading forces. Since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022, under Kaja Kallas, aged 47, Estonia has emerged as one of Europe’s staunchest supporters of Ukraine.
Kallas’ resignation led to the immediate dissolution of her coalition Cabinet comprising the Reform Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the liberal Estonia 200 party. Her Cabinet will serve as an interim government until a new one is formed, expected by early August. During her last Cabinet meeting on Monday, Kallas highlighted her government’s initiatives to strengthen Estonia’s security as a NATO member sharing a border with Russia.
Kallas said, “We have invested more in national defense than ever before and increased the annual defense budget to 1.4 billion euros [about $1.5 billion], which is 3% of GDP. She added that, “these decisions help to ensure that Estonia is firmly protected and a safe place to live.”
In late June, the Reform Party revealed its choice of Climate Minister Kristen Michal as their nominee to follow Kallas as prime minister. The party’s win in the 2023 general election cemented its authority to claim the position. For Michal to assume office as Estonia’s prime minister, the appointment must receive approval from President Karis and the Riigikogu, Estonia’s 101-seat parliament, where the coalition holds a commanding majority. The Reform Party is scheduled to appoint its new leader on September 8.