Kallas to Take Up Teaching Upon Return From Brussels
Former Estonian PM Siim Kallas, who has been a European commissioner for the past 10 years, is set to return home in when his term expires in November, saying he will take up teaching positions.
In an interview with Postimees on Thursday, Kallas said he will teach at the University of Tartu and Tallinn University of Technology, and will participate in a few other projects.
Kallas, 66, said the task of the new commissioners, which will include another former Estonian prime minister, Andrus Ansip, will not be easy, as it faces many fundamental questions such as whether to print money and reform the union, the trade agreement with the United States, and relations with Russia.
Speculation has been rife that Kallas could return to politics, having seen his previous attempt, earlier this year, shot down. Opposition party IRL has said he would make a great foreign minister, and there was speculation that when Ansip takes up the commission spot, Urmas Paet, the current foreign minister, will take Ansip's place in the European Parliament.
After Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi's outbursts on Facebook this week, Kallas has been put forward by some to replace Ligi.
The national elections are due to be held on March 1, in four months time, and Kallas could yet be persuaded to return to Toompea.