Coalition considers Leo Kunnas for defence committee chair

Estonia’s coalition is considering independent and unaffiliated MP Leo Kunnas to lead the Riigikogu, Estonia’s parliament, National Defence Committee, ERR reported on Friday.

The position became vacant after Kalev Stoicescu left the Eesti 200 party. The coalition has lost its majority in parliament, and Postimees reported that supporting Kunnas could help secure votes from MPs outside the coalition for the state budget and other important decisions. The committee’s composition would also make it difficult to elect a coalition member as chair.

Reform Party Secretary General Kristo Enn Vaga, who also serves on the committee, confirmed that Kunnas’s candidacy had been discussed. “It cannot yet be called an agreement, but we have discussed that Kunnas would be a good compromise candidate to chair the committee,” Vaga told Postimees.

Vaga said Kunnas had previously served as deputy chair and had promised not to run for any other position. He added that Kunnas would act based on defence interests rather than political interests, but said it was not yet known whether Kunnas himself would agree to stand.

The formal vote is expected when the Riigikogu returns for its autumn session on September 14. Meelis Kiili, who has left the Reform Party, also told Postimees that Kunnas would be a good candidate, although the two had not discussed the matter.