14/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - Taavi Roivas becomes prime minister at 34. The Estonian minister for social affairs, Taavi Roivas, 34, was appointed the new prime minister on Friday 14 March, becoming the youngest head of government in the European Union. Roivas will take over from the veteran Andrus Ansip, who stepped down on 4 March, after nine years at the helm. Roivas was something of a surprise choice, even though he is seen as a protégé of Ansip. His name was not mentioned until after the unexpected withdrawal of the application for the post of head of government of Siim Kallas, European Commissioner and former prime minister (see EUROPE 11037). (LC)