Former Estonian Prime Minister and EU Commissioner Siim Kallas dies at 77

Siim Kallas, a towering figure in Estonian politics and a former European Commissioner, has died at the age of 77. His passing was announced by his daughter, EU Foreign Affairs chief Kaja Kallas, who shared the sad news on social media.

Kallas played a pivotal role in shaping Estonia's trajectory since its regained independence in 1991. His extensive career included top governmental positions such as Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, and head of the Central Bank. He was instrumental in navigating the country's path towards European integration, notably during the negotiations for Estonia's accession to the European Union in 2004.

Following Estonia's EU membership, Kallas, known for his pragmatic and technocratic approach, was appointed as an EU Commissioner. He served as Vice-President of the European Commission, initially overseeing administration, internal audits, and anti-fraud efforts. Later, he took on the role of Transport Commissioner in 2010.

After concluding his tenure at the European Commission, Kallas made an unsuccessful bid for the Estonian presidency in 2016. He later served as a Member of Parliament from 2019 until he resigned his mandate and retired from politics in 2024, citing health reasons.