Estonia’s two biggest political parties on Sunday struck a deal to form a government after the previous Cabinet collapsed following a corruption scandal, Estonian media ERR reported.
The center-right Reform Party and the left-leaning Center Party “will form a government that will continue to effectively resolve the COVID-19 crisis, keep Estonia forward-looking and develop all areas and regions of our country,” according to a joint statement.
Both parties are set to have seven ministerial portfolios each in the 14-member government, with Reform Party leader and former MEP Kaja Kallas as prime minister.
A vote in parliament will now take place ahead of formal approval from President Kersti Kaljulaid.
Dutch MEP Sophie in ‘t Veld tweeted her congratulations to Kallas, saying: “Best wishes to the new, gender-balanced, pro-European, reform-minded government!” The Baltic nation will now have women as both head of state and head of government. Six women were also appointed as ministers.
Jüri Ratas resigned as prime minister and head of the Center Party on January 13, amid allegations of corruption involving a key official in his party, who was suspected of accepting donations in exchange for political favors.