Estonian PM Kaja Kallas to Become EU's Foreign Policy Chief

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has resigned to assume the role of the European Union's foreign policy chief. She led the Reform party to victories in 2019 and 2023 and has been PM since 2021. Until the new government is established by early August, she will serve as caretaker. Kristen Michal is proposed as her successor.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has submitted her resignation to take up the position of the European Union's foreign policy chief, according to an announcement from the president's office on Monday.

Kallas, who steered her liberal Reform party to general election victories in both 2019 and 2023, has served as the head of government since 2021. Despite her resignation, Kallas will act as Estonia's caretaker prime minister until a new government is confirmed by early August, as reported by Estonia's public broadcaster ERR.

The Reform party has put forward Climate Minister Kristen Michal as the potential new prime minister, pending successful negotiations to restructure the cabinet with coalition partners, the liberal Estonia 200 and the Social Democrats. The party will elect a new leader on September 8.

(With inputs from agencies.)