European Liberal Forum awards Estonian PM title of Liberal of the Year

TALLINN - The European Liberal Forum (ELF) awarded Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas the title of Liberal of the Year.

The award recognizes people who have strongly stood up for liberal values. The award was presented by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.

In her speech of thanks, Kallas recalled that while working as a lawyer, she often encountered injustice.

"The big ones hurt the little ones, while the little ones abuse their rights or cooperate against the big ones. The desire to make society fairer was the reason why I decided to enter politics," she said.

Kallas added that the world has changed a lot since she entered politics 13 years ago.

"Now we have to fight not only for justice, but also for freedom. Russia's attack on Ukraine is an attack on freedom and democracy," the prime minister said.

"They say that you understand the price of freedom when it is taken away. My grandparents lost their freedoms. I was born during the Soviet occupation, that is, I am from a generation that has lived without freedom. That is why I know to appreciate the freedom we have and not take it for granted. The war in Ukraine shows that freedom is not self-evident," Kallas said.