Last time I interviewed you as the social democrats' prime ministerial candidate prior to the 2015 Riigikogu elections. You did not become prime minister, while Jevgeni Ossinovski has since then taken control of the party as chairman. It is said that the party is split into Ossinovski's camp and yours. Is that true?
No; even if there were camps, those things have long since been overcome. There is talk of opposing camps in all parties; however, the social democrats have no split personality issues.
There is no bitterness left in you from that period?
Politics needs to be viewed from a distance. People almost never end up holding office exclusively because they are objectively the best choice for the position; it is a matter of agreement. Similarly you cannot look at being forced to leave as personal injustice or betrayal. I try to rise above, while hurt feelings are only human.
You are one of the few Estonian politicians who can come on Kuku radio's “Välismääraja” program and spend a long time talking about Nasser's Egypt for instance; a testament to your deep interest in foreign policy. Is the foreign portfolio a dream come true for you?
It is definitely one of the positions I had considered before coming to this building. I have dealt with foreign and defense policy in my 17-18 years in politics and have corresponding interests.