Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas tendered her resignation on Monday to assume the role of the European Union's foreign policy chief, according to the president's office.
Kallas, 47, has been a vocal critic of neighboring Russia and its alleged expansionist objectives since she took office in early 2021. She has urged Estonia's NATO and EU allies to offer unwavering support to Ukraine in its efforts to repel Russian forces. Under her guidance, Estonia, a small Baltic nation of 1.4 million inhabitants, has emerged as one of the largest per capita military aid contributors to Ukraine.
Kallas steered her liberal Reform party to triumph in the 2019 and 2023 parliamentary elections and has been at the helm of the government since 2021. The Reform party has nominated Climate Minister Kristen Michal to succeed her as Prime Minister, subject to coalition negotiations with its partners, the liberal Estonia 200 and the Social Democrats.
Kallas will serve as Estonia's interim prime minister until the formation of the new government, expected by early August, as reported by Estonia's public broadcaster ERR. Her party will select its new leader on September 8.
