Estonian Museum of Natural History director sues Climate Ministry

Heidi Jõks, director of the Estonian Museum of Natural History who was not re-elected to the post in July, has filed a case with the administrative court challenging the Climate Ministry's competition for the museum's next director, Postimees reports. The contest had already faced public criticism.

The court granted preliminary legal protection, suspending the final decision of the competition until September 23. Jõks said she hoped the ruling would bring the parties closer to a compromise and help restore a calm working atmosphere at the museum.

Background of the dispute

In July, Riina Roosipuu, former head of the Tallinn TV Tower and Eesti Loto, was selected as the museum's new director. The choice drew criticism from the Estonian Museum Association, which argued that the selected candidate was a Climate Ministry official with no museum experience.

The association also noted that the selection committee consisted solely of Climate Ministry managers and staff, with no independent experts from the fields of museums, memorial institutions, environmental education, or nature conservation included. The chosen candidate's direct supervisor sat on the committee, as did a subordinate employee reporting to that supervisor.

Several heads of Estonian museums said the competition raised questions about its purpose, transparency, and legality. Jõks has led the Museum of Natural History for nearly 15 years; her term is set to end on November 30.