Estonia’s parliament on Monday approved Climate Minister Kristen Michal as the country’s next prime minister, succeeding Kaja Kallas, who recently resigned to take up the post of European Union foreign policy chief.
Michal, who like Kallas is from the liberal Reforma party, will lead the same centre-right majority coalition as his predecessor, along with the liberal Estonia 200 party and the Social Democrats. At the extraordinary session, 64 MPs voted in favour of authorising Mihal, with 27 against.
Before the vote, the politician spoke about the basis for forming the government. In particular, he explained the need to raise taxes by increasing spending on defence and internal security. At the same time, he promised spending cuts and governance reforms, as well as steps to boost Estonia’s economic growth.
After receiving the mandate on Monday, President Alar Karis is expected to appoint a new government. On Tuesday, Michal will be sworn in before the Estonian parliament.
Earlier, on July 15, Kaja Kallas, who headed the Estonian government, resigned. She left her post after EU leaders approved her candidacy for the post of the association’s high representative for foreign affairs and security at a summit in Brussels on June 28.
