Michal backed by Ansip and Rõivas

Photo: Sander Ilvest

Two previous chairmen of the Reform Party, Andrus Ansip and Taavi Rõivas, are among members who have given their signature to support Kristen Michal's bid for the chairmanship.

The long-time prime minister's party is set to elect a new leader at its general assembly on January 7. Candidates can put forward their bids until December 19. Candidates currently include Riigikogu faction chairman Kristen Michal and deputy chair Hanno Pevkur.

The list of signatures to support Michal currently holds 50 names. They include those of 25 members of the party's 30-strong parliament faction and nine members of its 15-member board.

The undersigned also include five founding members of the party: former MP, minister, and secretary general Heiki Kranich; former MP and minister Jaanus Tamkivi; MP and Tartu County area chairman Igor Gräzin; MP and deputy chairman of the party Jürgen Ligi; and European Commissioner Ansip.

Support for Michal is countrywide as no fewer than ten heads of the party's 17 regional offices (including Tallinn and Tartu) have signed the document to support his candidacy: Tartu area chairman and Mayor Urmas Klaas, Pärnu County area chairman Väino Hallikmägi, Valga County area chairman Meelis Mälberg, Saaremaa area chairman Kalle Laanet, Jõgeva County area chairman Terje Trei, Tartu County area chairman Gräzin, Rapla County area chairman Kalle Palling, Harju County area chairman Kalev Lillo, Ida-Viru County area chairman Deniss Boroditš, Viljandi County area chairman Kalle Jents. As Michal is in charge of the Tallinn area, the signatures total 11.

Other names include that of Harju County area deputy chairman and former MP Andre Sepp, Paide area chair and former MP Kristjan Kõljalg, Viljandi area chairman and honorary court member Madis Timpson, Rapla area board member and former minister Harri Õunapuu, Hiiumaa area board member Peep Lillemägi, Nõmme area board member Õnne Pillak, Tallinn area board members Ain Seppik and Vilja Toomast, Tallinn city council Reform Party faction chair Ants Leemets.

Michal also has the support of youth assembly chairman Erkki Keldo and board member Karel Veemaa, and Viljandi city government member Risto Kaljurand. Also chairman of Tallinn's Youth Reform Club Sander Andla.

From the Reform Party's women's association NaiRe, support has been voiced by deputy chairwoman Carmen Illak, board members Heli Suvi and Terje Trei.