Estonian parliament approves Climate Minister Michal as next prime minister to replace Kallas

By Leila Nezirevic

LONDON (AA) – The Estonian parliament on Monday approved Climate Minister Kristen Michal as the Baltic country’s next prime minister, replacing Kaja Kallas, who stepped down last week to become the European Union’s foreign policy chief.

Michal, a member of the liberal Reform Party, is expected to lead the center-right majority coalition government alongside the liberal Estonia 200 party and the Social Democrats.

The new government will be sworn in on Tuesday after taking the oath of office in parliament, according to national broadcaster ERR.

Michal, 49, who was the only candidate nominated for the position in June, thanked the party for its trust and promised to carry it with dignity.

He stressed that his primary focus will be on Estonia's overall security.

"The people of Estonia need to be reassured that our homes and land are protected and that the country is well run. Security in national defense, strengthening the competitiveness of the economy, and continuing to clean up public finances will certainly be important priorities during the review of the coalition agreement," Michal was quoted as saying by ERR.

Estonia’s first woman Prime Minister Kallas has been one of Europe’s most vocal supporter of Kyiv following the Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine in Feb. 2022.

Kallas is expected to replace Josep Borrell of Spain as the high representative of the European Commission for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy later this year. Borrell has served as the EU’s foreign policy chief since 2019.