Reform MP Kristo Enn Vaga taken to hospital after becoming unwell on live TV

Reform MP Kristo Enn Vaga taken to hospital after becoming unwell on live TV Reform Party Riigikogu member Kristo Enn Vaga suffered a medical emergency live on TV and was taken to hospital Wednesday evening. Vaga, who is also the party's secretary general, was discharged from hospital during the night. Around 11 minutes into Wednesday evening's live "Esimene stuudio" debate on defense spending, which Vaga was taking part in, the MP had taken a seat rather than standing and became slower in speech. A few minutes later, he had departed the studio and show host Andres Kuusk announced: "Dear viewers, just to let you know, we have a medical emergency on air. Hopefully everything is all right, but we will try to continue with the program." Peep Kala, editor‑in‑chief of ETV's current affairs content, said after an examination by paramedics, Vaga was taken to an ER for further tests. Reform Party spokesperson Sander Andla told ERR Thursday morning that Vaga had been released from hospital at some point during the night following the tests, and was permitted to return home. Kala noted his absence from the show, which representatives of all the other major parties took part in, means a solution is being sought to provide Reform with the right to reply. "It is unfortunate that due to Kristo Enn Vaga's medical emergency, the Reform Party was unable to defend itself against the opposition's attacks on the program," Kala said. "We are considering how the Reform Party will be able to present its counterarguments," he added. Vaga's departure left MP Peeter Tali (Eesti 200) as the sole coalition representative taking part in the debate versus the leaders of all four opposition parties. Vaga, 29, has been a Reform Party member since 2017 and previously served as its youth wing leader. He was campaign manager at the 2023 Riigikogu election, which he also ran in, polling at a little under 600 votes. He clinched a seat via compensation mandate, which under Estonia's d'Hondt electoral system involves excess votes being distributed from candidates already confirmed in a mandate to those lower down on the list. He became Reform's secretary general in November last year. A top cyclist, Vaga in spring 2024 cycled the roughly 1,700 kilometers from Tallinn to Kyiv, as part of a fundraiser for Ukraine. As a politician he has promoted an active and healthy lifestyle for all. ERR wishes Vaga well. -- Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update! Editor: Andrew Whyte