13 days and 17 hours.
From the collapse of the old one until the birth of the new one – that's how long it took to form the new government of Estonia.
January 13. 02:30. The Prime Minister of Estonia walking in the dark hallway in the Parliament building. A glimpse of relief could be seen on his face – in less than an hour he announces his resignation as Prime Minister.
January 13. 04:02. Ex Prime Minister Ratas is leaving from the Parliament building. I have a funny feeling. Thick and quiet snowfall is covering Tallinn but almost nobody knows that the Prime minister has resigned and the old government collapsed, because almost everyone is is asleep. The moment a lot of people have been waiting for has finally arrived. In a couple of hours everyone will know.
January 13. 13:53. Mailis Reps announces, that they will not want to continue their partnership with EKRE in the government. This was a huge blow to the EKRE ministers, because they were sure they would be a part of the new government. This statement from Reps called a halt to their hopes.
At the same time. The minister of finance and chairman of EKRE Martin Helme standing by the window and probably having a probably anxious phone call. Helme, who is used to being in the center of the media attention, has now been abandoned by the journalists who are more interested in the new possible members of the soon-to-be government.
January 14. 14:01. The coalition negotiations between two parties – Keskerakond and Reformierakond – have started. The situation in the negotiations room gave us a hint that the soon-to-be government is the most gender diverse in the history of Estonian politics.
January 25. 15:27. The chairman of Keskerakond and the chairwoman of Reformierakond and soon-to-be Prime Minister Kaja Kallas walk side-by-side in to the White Hall of the Parliament building. For the first time in many years they are not in the opposite camps but have to start working together. The differences of opinions must be set aside – atleast for some time.
Exactly 30 minutes later, 15:57. Kaja Kallas, surrounded by her coalition partners, is headed to the Session Hall of the Parliament of Estonia to ask for a permission to form a new government from the members of the Parliament. Her request is approved.
January 26. 8:44 – 13 days and 17 hours later. The President of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, appoints the new government into office at the sunrise.
