Ilves approves new Minister of Social Affairs

By Jana Belugina

TALLINN - Estonian President Toomas Hendrick Ilves has approved Hanno Pevkur to take over as the country’s new social affairs minister.

The Reformist Party proposed the candidate in the week leading up to the official resignation of Maret Maripuu on Feb. 23.

Maripuu announced last month that she would stand down despite having survived a vote of no-confidence. Prime Minister Andrus Ansip presented the candidate to Ilves on Feb. 20.