Estonian finance minister announces resignation, to quit politics

TALLINN – Estonia's Finance Minister Keit Pentus-Rosimannus announced on social media on Tuesday that she will resign from her Cabinet post and leave politics.

"Dear friends, today I am marking the end of a 19-year phase in my life. I am ending my activity in Estonian politics which, while entailing very tense times, also included very interesting times and big decisions," Pentus-Rosimannus said in the message posted on Tuesday.

"My work in this government has been done and I am resigning as minister of finance to give way to those about to run in the next elections and to focus on preparations related to work as member of the European Court of Auditors," she said.

Pentus-Rosimannus explained that her decision to leave politics means that she will not return to the Riigikogu, but will go on parental leave for a couple of months.

"I will not run in the Riigikogu elections in spring, and if I am confirmed as a member of the European Court of Auditors, I will also leave the position of vice chair of the Reform Party and the party's board," she added.