Address of the President of the Republic upon the appointment of Kristen Michal’s government

Esteemed ministers, members of the press,

I am very pleased that just one week has elapsed between Kaja Kallas tendering her resignation and the government led by Kristen Michal being appointed. Of course, it could be argued that there is an almost humdrum inevitability to this change in government, from the person nominated as prime minister to the partners in the coalition.

In reality, it has not been nearly so straightforward. The three parties involved have different views, interests and negotiating tactics, as well as different wishes when it comes to the distribution of ministerial positions – and that is after having governed together for over a year and now coming together again to form a new coalition.

But you have reached an agreement, and Estonia is set to gain a government with a significant parliamentary majority. That majority, which you enjoy thanks to your parties’ gains in the last elections, bestows on you a particular responsibility: greater dialogue with the people of the country, and between yourselves and the opposition.

Where authority speaks in a monologue, it fails to connect and soon loses trust. You now have the opportunity to restore that trust, and improve on it.

One week ago I met with the leaders of all of the parties represented in the Riigikogu, and with the prime minister nominate. Kristen Michal described his objective as head of government very simply: to transform the insecurity prevalent in society into security. His words were echoed by one of the leading figures from the opposition, who remarked that the new government would need to be one that offered a sense of security.

This is what the population of our country needs: an end to insecurity, so that our demographic prospects improve rather than worsening further.

As the people of Estonia, we want to be given honest explanations of what the government is doing and why if we are to gain that sense of security. We want clear messaging, not officialese or politically polished slogans. Then we will understand the government’s decisions.

We know that taxes will be going up, and that each of us will have to contribute more. But that being the case, what we expect from the government is a comprehensible explanation of what we will get for the extra money we are putting in. A greater sense of security, certainly – both literally and financially.

But in what areas is the government’s active role in pinpointing and providing perspective important? The economy. Industry. Energy. A qualified workforce. Investments. Competitiveness. There can be no economic growth without these things.

Instead of a one-year state budget we need more attention to be focussed on our budget strategy and sticking to it. That way, the government can take some of the unpredictability out of the economic environment, make state governance more transparent and boost the economic security of both employers and employees.

Naturally, this must be balanced against the financing of security, because Russia’s aggression against Ukraine – the biggest war on European soil since 1945 – is draining on Estonia’s state budget as well.

Effective national defence is costly, but we would pay a much higher price if we failed to defend ourselves. NATO’s new and truly important defence plans were drawn up in consultation with Estonia, meaning we had to be aware of their cost. We now have to pay up. Only then can we expect and indeed ask our allies to do the same.

I wish you, our new government, every success, and hope that its five new ministers quickly settle into their roles.

For my own part I promise to remain a reliable partner to you: exacting where being so is needed, and putting direct questions to you, but never hectoring.

But for now: on with the job!