Keldo rejects claims he will become energy and environment minister

Economic and Industrial Minister Erkki Keldo has dismissed claims that he could become Estonia’s next energy and environment minister, calling them opposition spin, ERR reported.

“It seems to me that everyone else knows more than I do about what will happen to me,” Keldo told ERR. “No position in politics is ever certain, of course, but the decision-makers, led by the prime minister, have not discussed such a change with me.”

Keldo said Social Democratic Party leader Lauri Läänemets had also been spreading claims that he and Karmen Joller could lose their ministerial posts altogether.

“Behind all this is the opposition’s wish to sow confusion and show the government’s weakness,” Keldo said.

Asked whether the energy and environment minister’s post would be more influential than his current position, Keldo said the two jobs could not be compared and that both were important.

Reform Party member Andres Sutt, the energy and environment minister, announced on Wednesday that he would not stand in the next parliamentary elections and would therefore leave his ministerial post.

Climate Ministry Secretary General Marten Kokk later shared a social media photograph showing Sutt and Aveliina Helm, with a prediction by ministry employees in the background about who could become the next minister. The names visible included Kristi Klaas, Aveliina Helm, Hanah Lahe, Yoko Alender, Maris Lauri, Anne Sulling and Kadri Simson.