Estonia's Climate Minister Kristen Michal chosen as Prime Minister by ruling party

In a recent development, Estonia's ruling center-right Reform Party has selected Climate Minister Kristen Michal to succeed outgoing leader Kaja Kallas as the country's prime minister. This decision was reached unanimously after a closed-door meeting by the party's governing board, just two days after Kallas was chosen by the European Union to serve as the bloc's new foreign policy chief. Kallas, Estonia's first female prime minister since January 2021, currently leads a three-party coalition government that secured a significant victory in the March 2023 general election. She has proposed an extraordinary party meeting on July 14 to elect her successor as party chairman, with Michal anticipated to assume the role following the withdrawal of his main competitor, Defense Minister and former Prime Minister Hanno Pevkur. Michal's nomination for Estonia's top position must now receive approval from President Alar Karis and the 101-seat Riigikogu, where the coalition enjoys a comfortable majority. Having served as the minister for climate affairs since April last year, Michal emphasized the importance of national security and pledged to enhance the country's economic competitiveness. The 48-year-old, a former economics and justice minister, hinted at potential revisions to the current 4-year government program under his leadership. Despite his extensive experience within the Reform Party, focusing on domestic affairs, Michal lacks international exposure, contrasting with Kallas, who excelled in foreign relations but faced challenges in domestic politics, leading to a decline in popularity among Estonians. Acknowledging the need for a well-run and secure nation, Michal expressed his commitment to addressing these concerns as the new Cabinet takes charge in the country of 1.3 million, which shares a border with Russia. The Reform Party confirmed that Kallas will represent Estonia as prime minister at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington in July. With Estonia's political landscape undergoing this transition, the appointment of Michal as prime minister marks a significant shift in leadership dynamics, signaling potential changes in the country's governance and policy direction.