Kaja Kallas, the leader of the Reform Party, accepted the nomination from the President of Estonia on Thursday 14 January as candidate for Prime Minister and to try to form a new government following the resignation of Jüri Ratas and his coalition government.

According to the Constitution, she now has 14 days to present the composition and programme of her government to the Estonian Parliament and gain their majority vote of support to take office.

If Kallas succeeds, she will become the country’s first female Prime Minister.

ALDE Party member parties, Reformierakond and Keskerakond, immediately began negotiations to form a new government, talks which continue at the time of publishing.

A coalition formed between Reformierakond and Keskerakond would have a majority of 59 seats in the 101-seat parliament.

Speaking after the first day of discussions, she said the parties agreed on general principles and that the coalition agreement will be general to allow the new government to step into power as quickly as possible and to be able to react to changes in the health and economic crisis at hand. She indicated that “we will form the coalition on equal basis, decisions will be made by consensus. It is a coalition that is looking toward the future”.

The Reform party won the most seats at the last Parliamentary election in Estonia in March 2019, but Keskerakond formed a coalition with EKRE and Isamaa parties to continue in government.

Separately, the proposal to conduct a referendum to define marriage in the Constitution did not receive the support of MPs at second reading and will not now take place.

You can read more about Kaja Kallas in our Meet the Leader series

Prime Minister @ratasjuri is stepping down. Tomorrow I will make a formal offer to @kajakallas (@ALDEParty) to become the candidate for Prime Minister and begin forming a new government. pic.twitter.com/xqtfHKKceB

— Kersti Kaljulaid (@KerstiKaljulaid) January 13, 2021

Photo credit: EU2017EE