Estonian PM says govt's internal climate is good

TALLINN - Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas affirmed that the government's internal climate is still good regardless of the numerous changes in ministers.

"I would be concerned if I saw that there is no longer any cooperation will, wish to make decisions and no trusting bond," Ratas said at a government press conference on Thursday, but added that there continues to be cooperation will, the wish to make decisions and a trusting bond between the ministers in the government.

The prime minister acknowledged that the eight minister changes in his government, which has been working for less than two years, "is not exactly a small number, but every case has had a concrete reason behind it".

Entrepreneurship and Information Technology Minister Urve Palo announced on Monday she will resign as minister and leave politics.

Others who have left Ratas' government at different times include former minister of rural affairs Martin Repinski, minister of public administration Mihhail Korb and Jaak Aab, who assumed the position after Korb, from the Center Party as well as former finance minister Sven Sester, defense minister Margus Tsahkna and minister of the environment Marko Pomerants from Pro Patria and minister of health and labor Jevgeni Ossinovski from the Social Democratic Party (SDE).

The government led by Center Party leader Juri Ratas assumed office on Nov. 23, 2016.