New Estonian Coalition Government Agreement Signed

Estonia’s Reform Party, Social Democrats and IRL have signed an agreement to form a coalition government.

After weeks of talks, the three major parties have agreed to cut income taxes from 33 to 32 percent and to increase the tax-free threshold on salaries from to 154 euros per month to 205 euros.

Reform Party leader, Taavi Rõivas will present his proposed government to President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. The new government should be sworn in on Thursday.

Prime Minister Taavi Rõivas, 35, Reform Party

Before his term as Prime Minister, Rõivas was Minister of Social Affairs (2012–2014). On 14 March 2014, he was nominated as successor to Prime Minister Andrus Ansip by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves and began to head talks between the Reform Party and the Social Democratic Party to form a new government. The coalition agreement was signed on 20 March and the nomination was confirmed by the Riigikogu on 24 March. He became Prime Minister after the President approved his proposed cabinet on 26 March 2014. Rõivas is the youngest government leader in the European Union.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Keit Pentus-Rosimannus, 39, Reform Party

Keit Pentus-Rosimannus has served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia since 17 November 2014. She is a member of the Estonian Reform Party.

Minister of the Interior Hanno Pevkur, 38, Reform Party

Hanno Pevkur has been Minister of the Interior since March 26, 2014. He is a member of the Estonian Reform Party. From 2012–2014, Hanno Pevkur was the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Estonia and from 2009– 2012, he was the Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Estonia.

Minister of Defense Sven Mikser, 41, Social Democrats

Sven Mikser has been the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Estonia since March 26, 2014. Sven Mikser is the leader of the Social Democratic Party. He has been a member of the Social Democratic Party since 2005.