The Riigikogu's defense committee has unanimously decided to extend the term of Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) commander Lieutenant General Martin Herem for an additional two years. While Herem was to stay in the position to December 2023 in any case, the changed security situation has prompted the extension, in the interests of stability.
Estonian public broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) is one of the most underfunded organizations of its kind in Europe, the broadcaster's board chair Erik Roose says. At the same time, cultural funding as a whole needs boosting in Estonia, while some mistruths put about by some of the private sector media leaders need dispelling, Roose says.
Siim Raie has announced his resignation as director of the National Heritage Board (Muinsuskaitseamet), after seven years on the job. The decision was a mutual one between him and the culture ministry, he told ERR's culture portal.
The resignation of culture minister Anneli Ott (Center) will not spell any changes to the government's overall coronavirus restrictions between now and year-end, health minister Tanel Kiik (Center) says. Ott resigned citing irreconcilable differences of opinion on restrictions policy she had with the government, and in particular the Reform Party, the senior partner in the coalition.
Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform) says she has less optimism about the next head of state getting elected straight off the bat on August 30, than she earlier had done. Kallas made her remarks in the light of a compromise candidate, Tarmo Soomere, last week apparently failing to get the required support from among the ranks of her party, along with those of the Center, Isamaa and Social Democratic parties, and an ongoing impasse since then.