{"id":380001,"date":"2024-07-23T12:08:32","date_gmt":"2024-07-23T10:08:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eunews.it\/2024\/07\/23\/estonia-nuovo-governo-michal-kallas-addio\/"},"modified":"2024-07-29T14:00:05","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T12:00:05","slug":"estonia-new-centrist-government-kallas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eunews.it\/en\/2024\/07\/23\/estonia-new-centrist-government-kallas\/","title":{"rendered":"Estonia has a new centrist government after Kallas (next EU high representative) stepped down"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brussels – It was a\u00a0quick transition with no particular shake-up. Kristen Michal is Estonia’s\u00a0new prime minister<\/strong>, succeeding\u00a0party colleague and next EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas<\/strong>. Following the formal designation by the Estonian president, Alar Karis<\/strong>, and the green light from the Riigikogu\u00a0<\/em>(the single-chamber parliament) to the continuation of the coalition government formed by the Estonian Reform Party, Estonia 200 and the Social Democratic Party, the new centrist executive was sworn in<\/a> today (July 23).<\/p>\n

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\"Kristen<\/a>
The newly appointed prime minister of Estonia, Kristen Michal<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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With 64 votes in favor and 27 abstentions, deputies\u00a0approved the proposal by Cabinet member Michal of the Estonian Reformist Party yesterday (July 22).\u00a0The program comprises improving state finances<\/strong> – with an income tax, a value-added tax, and increased excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco, and gasoline – and on investment in the defense and security sector<\/strong> within the framework set by NATO of spending a minimum of 2% of Gross Domestic Product on defense.<\/p>\n

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\"Kaja<\/a>
The candidate chosen by the European Council to be the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/figure>\n

The 49-year-old former<\/strong>\u00a0Climate Minister<\/strong> in the Kallas cabinet since the\u00a0spring of 2023 thus continues the outgoing premier’s centrist government experience, who resigned last week to focus on her new role from the outset when the new European Commission takes office on\u00a0Dec. 1. The European Council\u00a0named<\/a>\u00a0former PM Kallas on June 27 to succeed Josep Borrell<\/strong> as the next EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, opening the succession to head the government in Tallinn: “It is a huge responsibility at this time of geopolitical tensions<\/strong>,” had been her first words about the responsibility to “work to achieve EU unity, protect the Union’s interests and values in the changed geopolitical environment, and build global partnerships.”<\/p>\n

Top officials of EU institutions in Brussels congratulated the new Estonian prime minister. “We will work together for a competitive and innovative Europe. For a stronger European Defense industry. And, as always, for a free, sovereign Ukraine<\/strong>,” said<\/a> Ursula von der Leyen,\u00a0<\/strong>European Commission\u00a0<\/strong>president-elect, chosen\u00a0last week for another five-year term. Similar words came from the president of the European Council, Charles Michel<\/strong>, who invited<\/a>\u00a0Michal to\u00a0the upcoming summit of heads of state and government of the 27 member countries. “I am confident that we will be able to count on the continuation of Estonia’s strong support for Ukraine.” The president-elect\u00a0of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola<\/strong>,\u00a0wished<\/a>\u00a0“a strong Estonia in a strong Europe<\/strong>,” as demonstrated in recent years: “Your country has inspired many, from leading in our response to the aggression in Ukraine to Europe\u2019s digital revolution.”<\/p>\n