Estonia appoints new culture minister

Former news anchor Urve Tiidus has been appointed Estonias culture minister, Postimees Online reports

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves welcomed the announcement and  said having a female minister in the post was important. 

President Ilves said: "It isn’t easy to come to the government in the current situation but having known you over 20 years, Urve, I am certain that you will cope well in this job."

The appointment comes after former culture Rein Lang was caught up in a scandal involving the Sirp newspaper. Critics said Lang had interfered with the newspapers administration. Lang has denied the claims but stepped down after he said it would not be impossible to carry on the role following the claims. 

Tiidus, 59, A Tartu University graduate, has worked for many years as a news anchor and editor for Estonia's national television ETV and the private Kanal2. In 2005-2011 she was the mayor of Kuressaare, capital of Saaremaa island. She is a Reform Party member since 1998.

Estonian culture minister Rein Lang submitted on Monday resignation to prime minister Andrus Ansip. Lang said in his resignation speech at the parliament that is resigning because it has become impossible for him to participate in the communication sphere of the Estonian society as a minister.