Estonia's ruling party nominates the climate minister as the new PM

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🗞️ Driving the news: Estonia's ruling Reform Party has nominated Climate Minister Kristen Michal to replace outgoing Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who is set to become the EU's new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

🔭 The context: Kristen Michal has been serving as Minister for Climate Affairs since April of last year and has a long history with the Reform Party, being active since the late 1990s
• Kaja Kallas, Estonia's first female Prime Minister, led the country with a strong pro-Ukraine stance since the Russian invasion in 2022 and secured a significant victory in the 2023 general elections

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: With Kristen Michal, a dedicated climate minister, nominated as the new prime minister, Estonia may continue to prioritize climate policies and sustainability
• His leadership could reinforce Estonia's commitment to environmental issues on both a national and EU level

⏭️ What's next: Michal’s nomination needs approval from both the Estonian President and parliament. If confirmed, his leadership will shape Estonia's future political and environmental strategies

💬 One quote: “The unanimous decision to nominate Michal was made following a closed-door meeting by the party’s governing board only two days after Kallas was proposed as the EU’s new foreign policy chief”

📈 One stat: Kaja Kallas led the Reform Party to an overwhelming victory in the 2023 general elections

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