Former Estonian Prime Minister and European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas Dies at 77

TALLINN, ESTONIA — Former Prime Minister of Estonia and veteran European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas passed away Saturday at the age of 77, prompting tributes across European capitals.

Architect of Baltic Economic Transformation

As President of the Bank of Estonia in 1992, Kallas was the principal architect of Estonia's bold currency reform, establishing the Estonian kroon pegged to the Deutsche Mark, which successfully decoupled the nation's economy from hyperinflationary Soviet rubles.

He founded the liberal Reform Party, served as Prime Minister from 2002 to 2003, and subsequently served for ten years as European Commissioner for Administrative Affairs, Audit and Anti-Fraud, and later Transport.

European Tributes to a Founding Reformer

"Siim Kallas was a visionary leader whose intellect and courage helped steer Estonia from Soviet occupation into the heart of the European Union and NATO," stated European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Estonia announced a state funeral service in Tallinn next week.