Sester will replace party colleague Aivar Kokk, who is moving on to the parliament's committee on rural affairs.

Rural affairs so far was run by IRL chairman Helir-Valdor Seeder, who following his recent election will take over the parliamentary group from Priit Sibul.

Pomerants will take over as chairman of the Constitutional Committee. His predecessor, Ken-Marti Vaher (IRL), is heading to Strasbourg to run the office of Juhan Parts, who took over Estonia's mandate at the European Court of Auditors that became vacant with Kersti Kaljulaid's election to President of the Republic last year.

The changes were confirmed to BNS on Wednesday by Priit Sibul, who is stepping down as chairman of IRL's parliamentary group. He will continue as Seeder's deputy.

Outgoing Minister of Defence Margus Tsahkna (IRL) will continue as an MP.

Because of Sester, Tsahkna, and Pomerants' return to parliament, MPs Einar Vallbaum and Kalle Muuli are leaving the Riigikogu. The third IRL mandate to be taken by a returning minister is that of Ken-Marti Vaher, who is leaving for Strasbourg.

The Pro Patria and Res Publica Union (IRL) supported their chairman's proposal to replace Defence Minister and former party chairman Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Finance Sven Sester, and Minister of the Environment Marko Pomerants.

Former ambassador, minister, and director of the International Centre of Defence and Security, Jüri Luik, is taking over as minister of defense. Marko Pomerants is followed by IRL's Siim Kiisler in the Ministry of the Environment.

The three candidates will now need the approval of IRL's extended leadership, after which Prime Minister Jüri Ratas (Center) will ask the president to nominate them as replacements for Sester, Tsahkna, and Pomerants. They will then take their oath of office in the Riigikogu. The date they take office currently still depends on the schedule of President Kersti Kaljulaid, according to an official at the Government Office.