Estonia's Prime Minister Refuses to Resign After Controversial Revelations

Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas disagrees with President Alar Karis' opinion that she should resign. “The Prime Minister is confirmed by the parliament with a majority of votes, and it is the same majority that can dismiss the Prime Minister. This is the procedure established by our Constitution,” she stated in an interview with ERR on Tuesday.

“I take this opportunity to politely point out my opinion to the President, and I maintain this view: I will remain Prime Minister as long as my coalition partners and my party support me, and so far they have not given me any reason to doubt that,” Kallas said.

On Monday, following a meeting with the leaders of parliamentary parties, the Estonian President said, “Personally, I would have preferred the head of government to resign at the very onset of the events that brought her to the center of this crisis. There will be a decision that would save her, her loved ones, the operational capability of the government, and the credibility of Estonia's messages.”

In late August, Estonian media reported that Stark Logistics, a transport company partially owned by the Prime Minister's husband, who has been actively speaking out in the EU for tougher sanctions against Russia, continued to operate in favor of Russia after the start of activities in Ukraine.

“I certainly apologize to all those who have suffered because of this, but I am responsible for the moral evaluations I have provided. I still believe that it is morally wrong to operate in Russia or maintain relations with Russia in a situation where a large-scale war is ongoing. This must stop, and I call on all Estonian businesses to do so,” the politician said.