Estonia has selected a candidate for the position of the new defense minister
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that he will nominate former Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces Martin Here to head the country’s Ministry of Defense. The final decision on the nomination is to be made by the Reform Party’s executive board.
According to Kristen Michal, the Reform Party will officially approve the candidate for defense minister on Tuesday, September 15, during a board meeting.
By that time, Martin Herem is expected to have returned from abroad and will be able to attend the meeting in person.
The prime minister noted that Herrem’s military experience and understanding of the issues that need to be addressed within the Ministry of Defense’s management system speak in his favor.
Michał also stated that Herem is most likely to become the new head of the Defense Ministry.
At the same time, Herem himself has not yet officially accepted the offer.
The appointment of a new defense minister follows the decision by the current head of the ministry, Hanno Pevkur, to step down.
Last week, a representative of the Reform Party announced that he would resign after an audit revealed problems related to the procurement of ammunition for Ukraine.
The scandal surrounding defense procurement erupted against the backdrop of the ruling coalition’s extremely low approval ratings.
Currently, the coalition consists of the Reform Party and the liberal “Estonia 200.”
If Herem’s nomination is approved, he will head the Ministry of Defense at a time when Estonia continues to strengthen its own defense capabilities and support Ukraine.
This was reported by ERR.
Earlier, Center Party leader Mihhail Kilvart stated that early parliamentary elections in Estonia remain a realistic possibility. In his view, the replacement of ministers six months before the scheduled elections, as well as crises in several areas, indicate the need to hold the election earlier.
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