Kristen Michal Sworn in as Estonia's New Prime Minister

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On 23rd July 2024, President of Estonia Alar Karis swore in Kristen Michal, Chairman of the centrist Reform Party, as the new Prime Minister (PM) of Estonia.

An Overview of the News

• Kristen Michal succeeded Kaja Kallas, who resigned as PM of Estonia on July 15, 2024 to become the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union (EU).

• Kristen Michal previously served as the Minister of Climate since April 2023.

• On 22nd July 2024, Riigikogu, the parliament of Estonia, authorized Kristen Michal to form a new government with 64 Members of Parliament (MP) at the 101-seat parliament voting in favor, with 27 opposed.

• The new coalition agreement was triggered by the resignation of Kaja Kallas.

• The new coalition, made up of the Reform Party, the Social Democratic Party (SDE), and Estonia 200, is a continuation of its predecessor, which had been in office since May 2023.

About Kristen Michal:

• Kristen Michal is a first-time PM from the ruling Center-Right Reform Party.

• He served as an advisor to then PM Siim Kallas in 2002 and as Secretary General of the Estonian Reform Party from 2003 to 2011.

• He has been a member of the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th Riigikogu (2004-2007, 2012-2015, and 2016-2021).

• Previously, he also served as the Minister of Justice (2011-2012) and the Minister of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure (2015-2016).

About Estonia

• Estonia, officially the Republic of Estonia, is a country located by the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe.

• Bordered by:

  • North: Gulf of Finland across from Finland

  • West: Sea across from Sweden

  • South: Latvia

  • East: Lake Peipus and Russia

• Capital: Tallinn

• Currency: Euro

• Official language: Estonian

• President: Alar Karis