Postimees Digest, Friday, February 15
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Postimees
Center Party presents direct presidential elections bill.
The party's secretary general, member of the Riigikogu Constitutional Committee Priit Toobal said that the bill is based on recent polls, according to which most citizens support direct elections. Toobal said that direct presidential elections have been recommended by former presidents Lennart Meri and Arnold Rüütel and that the idea has also found support in the People's Assembly portal.
The bill's explanatory memorandum reads that direct elections would meet society's expectations, give the people an additional opportunity to participate in political decisions and bring the state closer to the people. According to the bill, a presidential candidate would have to get half of the votes in order to be elected. The change would require Estonia to amend its Constitution. Ruling parties do not support the centrists' initiative as it would not change the president's powers.
State gives EA one week to present plan.
The government decided yesterday to give national airline Estonian Air one more week to fine-tune its reorganization plan before it needs to be presented to the cabinet. Economy minister Juhan Parts said that the reorganization plan will include results of negotiations with creditors and recent partners and needs to give the government a clear position based on which to make decisions and one that would be feasible in terms of getting a state aid permit from the European Commission.
While CEO of the company Jan Palmer refuted rumors of a potential merger with Flybe or any other airline, Parts said that the government would not like to rule out the possibility of bringing in additional investors. Palmer said that the company is currently losing less money than it was a few months ago and that he remains convinced that the airline is capable of returning to profit.
Maestro Eri Klas gets lifework award
The path of the famed conductor Eri Klas, awarded for lifework by Estonian government, is strewn with rewards, decorations and titles.
«Yes, badges of honour hardly surprise me… anymore,» smiles Mr Klas in his own humorous way. Still, he’s touched by being thus recognised for work accomplished. Work which shows no signs of slowing down, however, as it was difficult indeed to find a moment of time for this interview – with all the rehearsals going on. So, today Mr Klas is busy conducting the initial concert of his «Maestro» series in Estonia concert hall including Erkki-Sven Tüür’s «Exodus», a cello concerto by Robert Schumann and Wagner/Vlieger’s «Parsifal».