Estonian PM vows more defense spending in new ruling coalition

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas vowed higher defense spending after finalizing a deal for a new governing coalition following her victory in last month’s elections, extending her tenure as one of Europe’s most ardent backers of Ukraine in its fight against Russia, Report informs via Bloomberg.

The alliance, to be sworn in next week, will swap out one of the three parties in Kallas’s outgoing cabinet for a new administration focused on reigning in fiscal deficits and promoting socially progressive policies as well as boosting the Baltic nation’s defense.

Members of Kallas’s center-right Reform Party will dominate ministerial posts after their commanding win in the March 5 vote.

“Without security we don’t have to talk about anything else,” Kallas said at a news conference in Tallinn on Saturday afternoon. “That’s why we are increasing our defense expenditure to 3% (of GDP) in the coming years.”

Under her leadership, Estonia has stood out as the biggest contributor of weapons aid to Ukraine on a per-capita basis. Alongside Baltic neighbors Latvia and Lithuania, the country has pushed hard for tough sanctions to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

The premier’s third government since she first took office in 2021 will also include Estonia 200 and the Social Democrats.