Estonia: PM not to attend President’s Independence Day reception

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas announced that she will not attend the Independence Day reception at the Estonia Theatre in Tallinn on 24 February 2024, ERR reports. Earlier, President Alar Karis decided not to invite most MPs to this year’s reception. Several MPs have expressed displeasure at the President’s decision. Kallas said that she would refuse to attend the event “out of solidarity” with MPs. She pointed out that the parliament, the Riigikogu, elected both the prime minister and the president. Meanwhile, Health Minister Riina Sikkut noted that the President was free to decide how to celebrate and who to invite. The Office of the President explained that the guest list was smaller because of the limited number of seats available at the venue.