In a political statement read at a meeting of the Center Party's extended board on Saturday, leader of the party and mayor of Tallinn Edgar Savisaar said that after the tumult in the Reform Party all new political forces in Estonia were full of new hope.
"The Center Party has experienced swarming first-hand on several occasions and has always come out stronger than it used to be. We have been the breeding ground for all parliamentary parties and despite that we are the most popular political party in Estonia," Savisaar said according to remarks released by spokespeople.
"IRL too has suffered several successful or at least not lethal swarmings, but the latest leaving of old bees has left that party seriously ailing. As far as the Reform Party goes it's still too early to say how they will be doing, as they haven't had a major swarming yet. It may happen indeed that deeper currents of dissatisfaction will be unleashed in the sensible part of the Reform Party, who see the perspectivelessness of the present policy of their party. Their dissatisfaction is fed by the economic downturn of Estonia, which no campaign no matter how pompous is able to hide," said the leader of Estonia's largest opposition party.
As Savisaar said, the Reform Party's coalition partner IRL is keeping absolutely silent this time. "But what keeps the lips of IRL pressed together is not shame for one's past but naked fear for one's future. They know very well that when the Reform Party disintegrates also IRL will lose power in the country, as it is only thanks to the Reform Party that Parts has been able to create a mess in the Ministry of Economy, Vaher in the Ministry of Interior and Aaviksoo in the Ministry of Education. The party's official leader Reinsalu is not even the first among equals in his governing board," he said speaking of the IRL Minister of Economic Affairs and Communications Juhan Parts, Minister of Interior Ken-Marti Vaher, Minister of Education Jaak Aaviksoo and minister of defense and leader of the party Urmas Reinsalu.
Savisaar said the weakening of the Reform Party was making all new political forces hopeful, be it Free Patriotic Citizen, Greens, or national conservatives. Likewise, many people are waiting for the creation of a honest right-wing party by Jaan Mannik, Savisaar said.
"The Center Party welcomes all the newcomers all over Estonia and especially in Tallinn. No matter whether they are project parties for one election or new forces with a vision for a longer term. Their entering the race will make the political system more broad-based and trustworthy," Savisaar said.