Michal favored by Ansip, Rõivas for Reform chair
While Reform MEP Kaja Kallas has expressed her support for Hanno Pevkur as the next chairman of the Reform Party, former party chairmen Andrus Ansip and Taavi Rõivas have both thrown their support behind Kristen Michal.
According to daily Postimees’ (link in Estonian) information, Michal’s list of supporters includes 50 signatures already, 25 of which are those of members of the Reform Party’s 30-member parliamentary group. Nine members of the 15-member party leadership support his candidacy as well.
Of the party’s 17 regional organizations, ten have likewise provided their signatures in support of Michal: Tartu division chairman and mayor Urmas Klaas, Pärnu County chairman Väino Hallikmägi, Valga County chairman Meelis Mälberg, Saare County chairman Kalle Laanet, Jõgeva County chairman Terje Trei, Tartu County chairman Igor Gräzin, Rapla County chairman Kalle Palling, Harju County chairman Kalev Lillo, Ida-Viru County chairman Deniss Boroditš and Viljandi County chairman Kalle Jents. As Michal himself is chairman of the Tallinn division, that makes for a total of 11 signatures.
The only recently ousted longtime leading party will be electing its new chairman at the party’s Jan. 7 general assembly. Thus far, Reform Party Parliamentary Group chairman Kristen Michal and vice-chair Hanno Pevkur have expressed their intent to run for the party’s top spot; the deadline for nominating candidates to the position is Dec. 19.
MEP Kaja Kallas decided against running, supports Pevkur
"I will be supporting Hanno Pevkur in the elections for chairman," Kallas told ERR, finding that her pick would be capable of uniting the party while also providing the party with a fresh new face.
The MEP noted that she had weighed running for the party’s top spot herself, however she ultimately decided against it for now. She also expressed doubt that anyone who hadn’t already begun campaigning for the position would be elected at this point, considering the fact that the elections are on Jan. 7 and the deadline for nominations is Dec. 19, with Christmas, school break and the new year falling in between.
Commenting on Kristen Michal’s candidacy for mayor of Tallinn, Kallas told ERR, "Achieving good results at elections depends on several factors, of which many are not under our party’s control… however I believe that everyone will make every effort to achieve good results at the elections."
Editor: Editor: Aili Vahtla