“Estonia has entered a phase in which its government is no longer coaligned. Although nominally still functioning, the governing coalition has come apart at the seams.
Delfi reminded me of what I said in the address I gave on 24 February – that a politician’s stock in trade should be the fact that they can be trusted, taken seriously, relied upon for their competency – and asked how the government and parliament are faring in the context of those words.
The answer to that came in the Riigikogu on the evening of 1 June, when one of the coalition parties joined one of the opposition parties in voting down the draft Pre-School Education Act already endorsed by the government. Beyond that, it seems unnecessary to mention the squabbling that went on between the two governing parties in regard to child and family support.
We do not have time for them to settle scores and play the blame game: let that be the preserve, in due course, of those with an interest in recent history. What Estonia needs right now is the formation, as quickly as possible, of a government coalition which is characterised by its willingness and ability to make decisions.
Along with our allies in NATO and the European Union, Estonia finds itself in the midst of the most serious security crisis any of us have faced in recent decades. We have been led to this point due to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, but there is also the issue of our energy security, in regard to which it remains far too early to say that the situation has been resolved. Socio-economic problems are likely to become more acute in three to four months’ time, with gas, electricity and heating bills once again placing a lot of people in a difficult position and raising the question of whether they will be able to cope on a day-to-day basis. It is clear that a decision also needs to be made as to where the funds covering increasing budget expenditure will be taken from.
A lot of work needs to be done, by both the government and the parliament. And nobody can do that work for them.
Over the last few days I have spoken to the heads of all of the parties in parliament and been assured that they all grasp the seriousness of the government crisis and have begun seeking solutions.
Given the current make-up of the parliament, a coalition can only be formed by either the Reform Party or the Centre Party. Of course, there remains the option for them to smooth over their differences and continue governing together until the next elections. But if there is a mutual lack of will in this regard, neither should be abashed to enter into negotiations with other parties in order to find partners for a new coalition.
I hope that through consultations, our parliamentary parties arrive at a result that provides Estonia once more with a coalition and government that can lead the work of state governance with the requisite sense of responsibility.
