A significant development has taken place in Estonian politics: Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has announced his voluntary resignation. He announced this decision on the programme Aktuaalne kaamera on ETV, citing criticism levelled at the Estonian Defence Forces and the Defence Investment Centre by the National Auditor. The main cause of the criticism was the purchase of artillery shells for Ukraine; it emerged that Estonia had paid 70 million euros to Indian companies which had no previous experience in selling ammunition.
Pevkur, who had headed the Ministry of Defence since 2022, acknowledged that, although he had not been directly involved in the accounting or the contracts, he bore political responsibility for the ministry’s actions. He decided to step down, stating that this was a matter of political responsibility and that his resignation would help to strengthen confidence in the defence sector.
Criticism from the National Audit Office was the catalyst for this resignation. A special committee of the Estonian Parliament recently discussed accounting issues in the defence sector, which also increased the pressure on the minister. Leaders of several political parties called on Pevkur to step down, which prompted his decision to resign.
So far, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Mihal has refrained from commenting on the matter. However, many observers believe that his reaction could influence future developments in Estonia’s defence sector.