Estonian president appoints new coalition government

Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid Wednesday appointed the new Estonian coalition government headed by Center Party Chairman and Prime Minister Juri Ratas.

The Ratas-led new coalition government was set to take the oath to office at the Estonian parliament Riigikogu on April 29, the local media reported.

As the first prime minister candidate, Kaja Kallas, chairwoman of the Estonian Reform Party winning the parliamentary election in March with 34 seats, failed on April 15 to secure the parliamentary support to form a coalition with the Social Democratic Party.

The Estonian Center Party, the Conservative People's Party and Isamaa signed the coalition agreement on April 8, after the announcement on April 6 of the lineup of the 15 ministerial posts (including the prime minister) with five ministerial appointments for each party.

Five political parties won seats in the 14th Estonian parliamentary elections held on March 3 for a four-year term. The Reform Party has 34 seats, the Center Party 26 (currently 25 with another one converted to independent), the Conservative People's Party 19, the Isamaa Party 12 and the Social Democratic Party 10.