“Having met with the new ministers, I can say that they are all self-assured, know what they want to achieve during their time in office and have faith in the support of both officials and the government,” President Karis remarked. “The people I met with come from different backgrounds in terms of their experience and world views, and must be united by a wish to make Estonia a better place and to shore up the lives of the people who live here. The ministers in this new coalition don’t have the luxury of 100 days to settle into their roles, but must strive to work as a team – as the government of our republic – from the outset.”
President Karis said that although the new government would not be in place for long, it would have to deal with much more serious issues than normal. “There are pressing problems for which decisions need to be taken as quickly as possible, and the impact of those decisions could last for decades,” the head of state cautioned. “Security and people’s ability to cope are issues whose importance is grasped by all of the ministerial candidates.”
President Karis said that the coalition’s decision to divide up the ministerial portfolios equally between the parties should be reflected in the day-to-day actions of the government. “I hope to see their different political viewpoints enriching their partnership, not causing rifts or leading to its collapse,” he said.
The head of state spoke to two ministerial candidates who are currently abroad over the phone. He will meet with them in person tonight.
President Karis accepted Prime Minister Kaja Kallas’ resignation on Thursday before proposing that she form the next government.
The ministerial candidates from the Reform Party are Kaja Kallas (Prime Minister), Hanno Pevkur (Minister of Defence), Urmas Kruuse (Minister of Rural Affairs), Keit Pentus-Rosimannus (Minister of Finance) and Signe Riisalo (Minister of Social Protection).
The ministerial candidates from the Pro Patria party are Kristjan Järvan (Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology), Tõnis Lukas (Minister of Education and Research), Lea Danilson-Järg (Minister of Justice), Riina Solman (Minister of Public Administration) and Urmas Reinsalu (Minister of Foreign Affairs).
The ministerial candidates from the Social Democratic Party are Madis Kallas (Minister of the Environment), Piret Hartmann (Minister of Culture), Riina Sikkut (Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure), Lauri Läänemets (Minister of the Interior) and Peep Peterson (Minister of Health and Employment).
