Estonia: Prime Minister in turmoil after revelation of ties between her husband and Russia

The head of the Estonian government is in trouble: known to be one of the most radical voices of the Western camp against Russia since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Kaja Kallas is now facing calls for his resignation from the opposition and the main Estonian media. The reason: her husband's trade ties with Russia.

Polls show that a majority of Estonians are calling for the departure of the head of government, Kaja Kallas. © Mindaugas Kulbis / AP

By: RFI Follow

Advertising

Read more

The Centre Party announced on Friday that it was starting discussions on a motion of censure against Kaja Kallas, while another opposition party Isamaa considered that Kaja Kallas had "no choice but to resign immediately", believing that this scandal caused "considerable damage to the interests and reputation of Estonia".

On Wednesday, public broadcaster ERR reported that the Stark Logistics transport company, which is partly owned by Kaja Kallas' husband, Arvo Hallik, continued deliveries to Russia after the war with Ukraine began. Arvo Hallik indirectly holds a 25% stake in this transport company. In a press release issued the same day, Stark Logistics said it had only one Estonian customer, Metaprint, which is currently closing its plant in Russia, and that Stark Logistics was making deliveries to assist with the closure. Arvo Hallik has promised to sell his shares, but the damage is done.

Following these revelations, the Estonian Prime Minister since 2021, assured on Facebook that all trade with Russia must "cease as long as the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine continues". She said her husband's company was helping one of her Estonian clients in Russia "in accordance with the laws and sanctions imposed."

She 'should hand in her letter of resignation'

Kaja Kallas may defend herself by saying she is "certain and confident" that her husband has not engaged in "any immoral activity", the opposition and the press are firing red balls at the Prime Minister and demanding her resignation. In an editorial, the leading daily Postimees advises the centre-right prime minister "to pack her bags today, in order to avoid leaving even more shameful in the future". The daily Eesti Päevaleht also said she "should hand in her letter of resignation" without this meaning "that she necessarily has to leave her post".

Polls show that a majority of Estonians are calling for the head of government to step down. Because the Baltic country on Russia's borders is firmly committed against the aggressor of Ukraine and within Europe, Kaja Kallas had just made a name for herself as a fervent defender of ever harsher sanctions against Moscow.

(

and with AFP)

NewsletterReceive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Share:

Read on on the same topics:

  • Estonia
  • Russia
  • Ukraine