Estonia’s PM Resigns Over Corruption Scandal in His Party

Estonia’s PM Resigns Over Corruption Scandal in His Party
Estonia's Prime Minister Juri Ratas speaks to the press as he arrives on the second day of a European Union (EU) summit at The European Council Building in Brussels on Oct. 2, 2020. Olivier Hoslet/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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HELSINKI — Estonia’s prime minister resigned on Jan. 13 over a corruption scandal involving a key official of his Center Party suspected of accepting a private donation for the party in exchange for a political favor on a real estate deal, prompting new talks on forming a new ruling coalition.

The resignation of Prime Minister Juri Ratas, who is also the Center Party’s leader, automatically triggers the resignation of Estonia’s three-party coalition government but doesn’t automatically mean a new election.