Kristen Michal: Siim Kallas was an example

Estonian Prime Minister and Reform Party chairman Kristen Michal has expressed condolences to the loved ones of Siim Kallas, who died on the night of August 22. Michal shared his remarks with the ERR news portal.

According to Michal, Kallas was an example for very many people within the Reform Party, since he was the one who founded it, and his influence reached far beyond politics into many spheres of life. Michal noted Kallas's good spirits, cheerfulness, broad outlook and worldview, adding that there were almost no areas in which Kallas could not offer advice or point toward the right path.

A personal bond

Michal recalled that he joined the Reform Party as a young man and became its secretary general while Kallas served as party chairman. For his generation, Michal said, Kallas was undoubtedly a great example and an outstanding figure.

On a personal level, Michal said Kallas had also long been a good friend, ally and mentor, as the two sat next to each other in the Riigikogu, Estonia's parliament, discussing both simpler and more complex questions of current and world politics.

Michal offered his deep condolences to Kallas's daughter Kaja, son Ilo and wife Kristi, as well as to all of his friends and loved ones, calling it a sad day and sad news.