Former Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas dies

Former Estonian Prime Minister and European Commissioner Siim Kallas has died at the age of 77, his daughter, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, announced on social media.

Kallas served as Estonia’s prime minister from 2002 to 2003 and as European Commissioner from 2004 to 2014, including as vice president of the European Commission, ERR reports.

He entered politics in the 1990s after serving as president of the Bank of Estonia and helped found the liberal Estonian Reform Party. He also served as foreign minister and finance minister.

During his European Commission tenure, Kallas held portfolios including transport, administrative affairs, audit and anti-fraud.

He remained active in Estonian politics after leaving the Commission, serving as a member of parliament until 2024.

His daughter, Kaja Kallas, served as Estonia’s prime minister from 2021 to 2024 and is currently the EU’s foreign policy chief.

By Sabina Mammadli