Eesti 200 replaces Stoicescu with Uibo on defence committee

Estonian parliamentary party Eesti 200 will replace Kalev Stoicescu with Toomas Uibo on the Riigikogu’s National Defence Committee, ERR reported on Monday.

Stoicescu, who had chaired the committee, announced on Sunday that he was leaving Eesti 200 and its parliamentary group. Uibo confirmed on Monday that the party’s group had decided he would take Stoicescu’s place.

“The Eesti 200 parliamentary group met this morning and made exactly that decision,” Uibo told ERR.

Uibo said the change was not motivated by spite or revenge but reflected parliamentary logic.

“We are very sorry, because he is truly a very good foreign policy specialist, but parliamentary logic does not support continuing in this way,” Uibo said.

Prime Minister Kristen Michal had previously expressed hope that Stoicescu could continue as committee chairman, but the parties were unable to reach an agreement.

“Kristina Kallas and the prime minister have spoken with him, and as far as I know, quite serious disagreements with Kalev have emerged. In that light, it is difficult to cooperate,” Uibo said. He added that he had learned of Stoicescu’s departure from the party through the media.

Eesti 200 leader and Education Minister Kristina Kallas also told ERR that she learned of the decision only about half an hour before it was reported by the media.

Members of the party said at the parliamentary group’s meeting on Monday morning that none of them planned to leave Eesti 200.

Uibo said he was chosen because he is a member of the Rural Affairs Committee, which has the fewest bills of any parliamentary committee, making the transfer a practical arrangement.

“I am certainly not a defence expert, and I do not claim to match Kalev Stoicescu’s knowledge,” Uibo said.

It remains unclear whether Uibo will become committee chairman, as that will be decided by a vote. Uibo said he had no reason to seek the chairmanship because there were other, stronger experts for the role.

Eesti 200 must now find a new member for the Rural Affairs Committee, with discussions on that appointment yet to begin.