Model Carmen Kass Eyes European Parliament

TALLINN, Estonia - Supermodel Carmen Kass has thrown her designer hat into the political ring in her home country of Estonia, declaring Friday she may run for European office.

Kass, 25, joined the ruling Res Publica party and said she is considering running in June elections for the European Parliament on the pro-business group's ticket.

"I'm entering politics because, for the past 10 years, I've gotten a lot from the world," the blond, blue-eyed multimillionaire told The Associated Press. "And everything I've gotten, I've gotten from Estonia. I want to give something back to Estonia."

Kass, a frequent Vogue cover girl, was discovered by a model scout in an Estonian supermarket when she was 14. She works much of the year in New York City, and won the coveted VH1/Vogue Model of the Year title in 2000.

She declined to respond to criticism that she is unqualified for public office. Though Kass once dubbed herself "Estonia's richest woman," she has never been involved before in her country's politics.

But Res Publica spokeswoman Relika Alliksaar said Kass had what it takes.

"Carmen has lots of good ideas," she said, adding that the supermodel could use her fame to generate interest in Estonia and help spark passion in politics among young people.

Estonia, a small Baltic Sea coast nation, will enter the European Union in May along with nine other, mainly former communist countries.