Herem reportedly demands Kuusk’s departure to become defence minister
Tuesday 8th September 2026 on 15:30 in
Estonia
Martin Herem, the candidate for Estonia’s defence minister, has reportedly made the departure of Defence Ministry Chancellor Kaimo Kuusk a condition for accepting the post, several sources told ERR.
The condition would give Herem greater freedom to make personnel decisions as minister. Herem has also reportedly wanted assurances that he would not have to join the Reform Party or stand in parliamentary elections.
Whether the conditions are acceptable to the Reform Party is expected to become clear on Wednesday, when the party’s board meets to discuss the situation.
Herem, who is currently outside Estonia, has not responded to ERR’s calls since Tuesday morning. Kuusk also did not respond. Speaking to Postimees, Herem said that, if he became minister, he should have the right to make personnel decisions.
“But Kuusk is more a matter for the current minister and the Reform Party. Let them decide whether they want to move someone else or show some kind of responsibility,” Herem said.
Kuusk cannot be forced to leave immediately. Under the Civil Service Act, a ministry chancellor may be dismissed if the minister considers cooperation between the minister and chancellor to be unsuccessful. However, a chancellor cannot be dismissed during the first six months of working with a minister.
If Herem became defence minister, he could therefore dismiss Kuusk at the earliest after six months. Parliamentary elections are due to take place by then, making a dismissal on those grounds pointless, ERR reported.
If the Reform Party wants Herem to become defence minister, the only quick solution would therefore be Herem’s withdrawal from the candidacy. Such an agreement would still have to be reached with current Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur.
The government dismisses the chancellor on the minister’s proposal. The next government meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
In July 2024, Pevkur announced that he would nominate diplomat Kaimo Kuusk as the Defence Ministry’s chancellor. Pevkur said last Wednesday on the public broadcaster’s Aktuaalne kaamera programme that he would resign as defence minister, taking political responsibility for critical findings by the National Audit Office concerning the activities of the Defence Forces and the State Defence Investment Centre.