June 29 () –
Estonian Climate Minister Kirsten Michal has lived up to expectations when he was chosen by his Reform Party on Saturday as the candidate to succeed Kaja Kallas, who will soon be the European Union’s top diplomat.
Michal was unanimously elected to the post by the executive committee of the Estonian conservative party, which he thanked for the trust placed in him before stressing his intention to prioritise the defence of the Baltic country’s security against the Russian threat.
Michal’s candidacy has to be supported by the country’s president, Alar Karis, and by Parliament, where the coalition led by Reforma enjoys a comfortable majority.
“The people of Estonia need to be assured that our homes and lands are protected and that the country is well managed,” said Michal, 48, in his speech after taking office and reported by the ERR network.
Kallas’ government has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine in the fight against Russian encroachment and supports a tough policy toward Moscow. Earlier this year, his name was added to the Russian Interior Ministry’s list of people wanted on criminal charges.
Kallas was elected as the next High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy at a summit in Brussels on Thursday, with her confirmation pending a vote in the new European Parliament.
Having become Estonia’s first female prime minister, Kallas will represent her country at the NATO summit in Washington on July 9-11 before stepping down.
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