President Alar Karis on the 15th appointed former Estonian Defence Forces commander Martin Herem as defence minister at the prime minister’s proposal. Herem, who led the Defence Forces from 2018–2024 and is not a member of the ruling Reform Party, was nominated to restore confidence in the sector after former minister Pevkur resigned on the 2nd, taking political responsibility following a National Audit Office report criticising defence management and accounting.

2026-09-15

President Alar Karis on the 15th appointed former Estonian Defence Forces commander Martin Herem as defence minister at the prime minister’s proposal. Herem, who led the Defence Forces from 2018–2024 and is not a member of the ruling Reform Party, was nominated to restore confidence in the sector after former minister Pevkur resigned on the 2nd, taking political responsibility following a National Audit Office report criticising defence management and accounting.