According to Michal, Herem's experience and knowledge of what needs to be improved within the Ministry of Defense's area of responsibility make him a strong candidate. He added that Herem will most likely become the new defense minister.

It was previously reported that Prime Minister Michal had privately offered Herem the position of defense minister, but Herem himself has not publicly accepted the offer. It is now known that the Reform Party board will approve Herem's candidacy at its meeting on Tuesday.

According to Michal, Herem is demanding that defense spending remain at 5 percent. "His message to me, as well as to others who have asked him, has been that the Russian threat is real and must be addressed," he added.

According to the prime minister, Herem needs political support to carry out various reforms, including an overhaul of the defense sector. "The problems that exist there need to be resolved," Michal said.

Herem accepts

Herem confirmed to ERR on Wednesday afternoon that he has accepted Michal's offer and will take office as defense minister.

Had Herem turned down the offer, the Reform Party would have approached other candidates. Michal named Marko Mihkelson, Alar Laneman, Kalle Laanet, Eerik-Niiles Kross, Kristo Enn Vaga and Mati Raidma as other possible choices.

Asked whether the dismissal of Ministry of Defense Permanent Secretary Kaimo Kuusk is also an important issue for Herem, Michal said the former commander of the Estonian Defense Forces would be joining the ministry primarily to put the defense sector in order.

"In that sense, Kuusk's message has been honorable: He was the first to raise his hand and say that he takes responsibility. Hopefully, the government can dismiss him tomorrow and begin, so to speak, cleaning up or putting the ministry in order," Michal said.

Hanno Pevkur, who is still serving as defense minister, told ERR that he asked Permanent Secretary Kaimo Kuusk on Wednesday to step down. The government will approve the move on Thursday.

It emerged on Wednesday that Energy and Environment Minister Andres Sutt, a member of the Reform Party, will step down as minister. "Since we're already reshuffling the Cabinet, it makes sense to change ministers now as well," Michal said. The prime minister will look for a new minister both within and outside the party.

SDE leader finds proceedings unbecoming

Social Democratic Party (SDE) head Lauri Läänemets wrote on social media that he does not consider the appointment of a new defense minister, or the way it is being carried out, appropriate for a democratic state governed by the rule of law.

"The removal of Ministry of Defense Permanent Secretary Kaimo Kuusk is being carried out in the Georgian style, based on party interests, something we have previously seen in Viktor Orbán's Hungary or in Poland. A hallmark of democracy is a professional and apolitical civil service that is free from and protected against partisan agendas and political turmoil," he wrote.

"To prevent the politicization and political influencing of the civil service, the law lays down specific rules governing when and under what circumstances an official can be dismissed. The Government of the Republic Act specifically states that the end of a minister's term in office cannot serve as grounds for dismissing a secretary general. A secretary general can and may only be dismissed for objective reasons. A party's desire to bring someone in as defense minister is not an objective reason," Läänemets wrote.

"By demanding that the Ministry of Defense secretary general be dismissed, Martin Herem, and the Reform Party by carrying out that demand, are sending a signal to the civil service that the party and politicians stand above the law and an impartial state apparatus and must be obeyed. This is extremely damaging to the democratic and continuous functioning of the state," Läänemets said.

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