Kalev Stoicescu announced on Sunday that he is leaving the Estonia 200 party. He will also no longer remain a member of the party's faction. On Monday, Toomas Uibo said he would replace Stoicescu in the National Defense Committee.
Uibo told ERR that the faction decided this. He said it is not bullying or revenge. It is simply parliamentary logic. Uibo also said that Stoicescu is a good foreign policy specialist. But parliamentary logic does not allow his continuation in the committee.
Prime Minister Kristen Michal hoped that Stoicescu would continue as chairman of the committee. But the parties did not reach an agreement. Uibo said that discussions have been held with Stoicescu. However, there are many misunderstandings. Therefore, it is difficult to cooperate.
Uibo learned about Stoicescu's departure from the media. The same happened to Kristina Kallas, the leader of Estonia 200. She found out about the news just half an hour before it reached the media.
The party's faction confirmed that they are not leaving. The issue was only about Stoicescu. Why was Uibo chosen? Uibo said he is not a defense expert. But he is a member of the rural affairs committee. There is less work there. Therefore, the change was logical.
Now Estonia 200 must find a new person for the rural affairs committee. Uibo said that this discussion is just beginning.