Estonia's ruling party tries new PM candidate as Kallas drops bid

European Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas speaks at the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels April 15, 2013. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

TALLINN (Reuters) - Estonia's ruling party was forced to pick a new candidate for the job of prime minister on Wednesday after its first choice, EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas, pulled out complaining of a smear campaign.

The Reform Party instead opted to name social affairs minister Taavi Roivas, 34, as its candidate to be nominated by Estonia's president to form a government. He will then need to seek parliamentary approval.