2024-07-22 22:29:15
64 members of Rīga Kogi voted for entrusting the formation of the government to Michal, while 27 voted against.
Estonian President Alar Kariss is expected to approve the new government later on Monday.
Michals said in his address to the parliament that the new government has many problems to solve, but the key words of the tasks are the restoration of people’s trust in Estonia, allies and partners.
He emphasized that the sense of security in Estonia has been undermined by several crises, especially the war of aggression near Estonia, which Russia started in Ukraine.
“Security, the economy of Estonia and the well-being of our people have been undermined. In addition, the financial situation of the country has also been affected. It is clear that we have neglected to make many decisions in the last ten years. The situation is as it is, but someone has to fix things,” he said. .
“Once we as a country were able to make the necessary decisions, and now we only make the ones that are convenient. Now we have to do the necessary again,” Michal urged.
“Our people need to know that Estonia is protected in the best way possible; that our allies are with us and here and ready to defend Estonia and Europe with us; that despite the difficult security situation, our economic future is better than before; is a plan to kick-start the economy, and it works so that the products and services we offer are needed by the world and are competitive, to preserve Estonia’s strengths, from the world’s best education to a simple and digital country; and further developed that Estonia is good to live , but also to create and raise a family so that those in power are ready and able to make the necessary decisions. This is the government’s task, and that is what we will do,” Michal told the members of parliament.
If the president approves the government, the prime minister will take an oral oath and the ministers will sign the text of the oath at an extraordinary session of the parliament on Tuesday. After that, the government will officially start work.
It has already been reported that on July 16, the President of Estonia instructed the politician of the Reform Party, former Climate Minister Michal, to form the government, while on July 15, the President accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. Kallas submitted her resignation because she has been selected as a candidate for the position of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign and Security Policy. Along with Kallas, the government led by her has also resigned.
Kallas and the cabinet will continue to perform their duties until the formation of the new government.
Negotiations on a new coalition agreement between the current ruling parties – the liberal Reform Party, the Social Democratic Party and the liberal party “Estonia 200” were concluded on Friday. These three parties have formed a government coalition since May 2023.
On Friday, the Reform Party also announced its candidates for ministerial posts. Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkurs, Minister of Social Protection Signe Rīsalo and Minister of Culture Heidi Purga have been re-nominated for their positions. Jürgens Ligi has been nominated for the position of finance minister, Joko Allendere for the position of climate minister, and Erki Keldo for the position of economy minister.
The party “Estonia 200” also named the candidates. Minister of Foreign Affairs Marguss Cahkna and Minister of Education and Science Kristina Kallas have been re-nominated for their positions. On the other hand, the chairperson of the Parliament’s Commission for European Affairs, Liza Pakosta, has been nominated for the post of Minister of Justice and Digital Technologies.
Meanwhile, the Social Democrats decided over the weekend that Minister of Internal Affairs Lauri Lenemets, Minister of Health Rīna Sikutas, as well as Minister of Regional and Rural Affairs Pireta Hartmanes have been re-nominated for their positions.
Vladimirs Svets, the former vice-mayor of Tallinn, who recently left the opposition Center Party and joined the Social Democratic Party, has been nominated for the newly created position of Minister of Infrastructure in the Ministry of Economy.
Svet’s candidacy has caused concern, as he has previously expressed doubts as to whether it can be said unequivocally that the Crimean peninsula belongs to Ukraine. On Monday, Michals emphasized that all ministerial candidates, including Sveta, will be subject to a security check.
2024-07-22 22:29:15