Today, I announced my decision to leave the 🇪🇪 foreign service and seek a mandate from the people of Estonia. I do so with a firm conviction: in March, Estonians will be choosing far more than a new parliament. We will be choosing our country’s course for decades to come. The stakes could hardly be higher. The security order that has safeguarded our freedom is under attack. Our old economic model is running out of steam. Fear is spreading. Brutality is on the march. These are not times for mediocrity, complacency or political tinkering. In stormy seas, standing still is dangerous. Drifting aimlessly is worse. What brought us this far will not carry us forward. I have devoted my professional life to serving Estonia as a diplomat and civil servant. But I have come to believe that, at this critical moment, political leadership matters more than ever. We must bring Estonia back into the political heart of Europe. Not merely to have a seat at the table, but to shape the decisions made there. We must have the courage to lead, the wisdom to persuade and the ability to bring others along. We must also rediscover our economic ambition. A small country cannot prosper by looking inward. We must dare to compete with the world’s best, while ensuring that no one in Estonia is left behind. Above all, we must remember that freedom in Estonia and Estonia’s freedom are inseparable. Neither can survive without the other. Both must be defended. I believe in Estonia. We have overcome great odds before. But we have little room for error, and no time to waste. That is why I am seeking the trust and mandate of the Estonian people. To help steer our country through the storm, safeguard our freedom and secure Estonia’s place at the heart of Europe.