TALLINN, (AFP) – Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas said yesterday he was stepping down after his Centre Party came under investigation for corruption linked to a property development company.

His resignation brings down the country’s centre-right coalition government that also includes a far-right party, but new elections are unlikely.

President Kersti Kaljulaid now has 14 days to name a new prime minister who would then have to be approved by parliament.

“Today I made a decision to resign as prime minister,” Ratas, who is the chairman of the party, said in a Facebook post following an hours-long party board meeting.

 

• Tags: corruption, Estonia, Juri Ratas