President Karis designates Kristen Michal as prime minister nominate

President Alar Karis met with Minister of Climate Kristen Michal in Kadriorg today, charging him with the task of forming a new government.

“My discussions with the heads of the parties represented in the Riigikogu made it clear to me that given the current balance of power in national politics, the coalition of the Reform Party, the Social Democrats and Estonia 200 has the best chance of forming what will hopefully be a decisive government, and one with a strong parliamentary majority,” the head of state remarked.

President Karis says the coalition negotiations must give those who care about Estonia answers to key questions: what will come of the country’s economy, people’s well-being and national security, and the sense of security among the population more broadly.

“The parties must not get bogged down in the promises they made ahead of the last parliamentary elections more than a year ago,” he said. “The reality today means that some of those plans will have to be set aside or reassessed. My talks with the heads of the potential governing parties reassured me that they see things the same way.”

President Karis says the change of government could also lead to a more constructive atmosphere in the Riigikogu between the coalition and opposition.