Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas on Friday (3 June) called for negotiations to form a new government as well as unity given the security threats posed by the neighborhood with Russia, after the collapse of the coalition between her training and the Center Party.
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Kaja Kallas was speaking to the press after President Alar Karis agreed to his request to expel Center Party ministers, including Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets, from the government.
“
It is honest to recognize that this (coalition) agreement is out of date, and we will form a new coalition
,” she said.
Ms. Kallas' Reform Party has offered to start coalition talks with the right-wing conservatives of the Isamaa Party and the Social Democrats.
“Common Understanding of the Threat”
The Russian invasion in Ukraine has alerted the three Baltic countries, all members of the European Union and NATO.
Kaja Kallas said she hoped the war had "
opened the eyes of all parties in parliament to the importance of a common understanding of the threat
" to Estonia as a "
neighboring country to Russia
".
Estonia's future cannot be assured only by increased military spending but also "
thanks to the unity of our people and the unwavering will to defend our independence
", she also wrote on Facebook.
Before the formation of a new coalition, the ministers still in office will take over the portfolios of those who have resigned.
If the talks fail, the government will collapse and new elections will have to be called.
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The resignation of the Center Party ministers comes after weeks of political deadlock, marked by a vote on an education bill.
The Center Party then voted with the far-right opposition party EKRE.
The Center and Reform Parties have alternated in government since Estonia regained its independence during the collapse of the Soviet Union.
