Before Andrus Ansip leaves office as prime minister, Reform Party will host its council and general assembly.
Ansip to abdicate on Shrove Tuesday
25th February 2014, 14:55
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On Tuesday, March the 4th, Estonia’s premier Andrus Ansip will hand his resignation papers to President Toomas Hendrik Ilves. With him, the entire government is stepping down.
«The decision was long time in the making and there was no hesitation in me whatsoever, anymore,» said Mr Ansip. «Few prime ministers have had the chance to pass on the baton without any outside pressure.»
Differently from other Estonian prime ministers, Mr Ansip has never had to step down due to scandals, nor has he lost his post in elections. He has led Estonia’s past three governments. His prime ministerial career spans nine years (2005–2014), being the longest among current government leaders in the European Union.
Mr Ansip announced his resignation in a speech traditionally held in the eve of Anniversary of Estonian Republic, in his home town Tartu.
Two years ago, Mr Ansip declared on February 23rd he’d not be forming the new government. This year, he said: «There were the doubters, probably, who think that all the politicians do is make promises and take them back. I have tried to always keep my promises. And today, the moment has arrived when I’m able to confirm that on Shrove Tuesday (the vastlapäev, in Estonia – edit), I will hand my plea of resignation to the President of the Republic.»
According to the governmental press service, the prime minister must also notify the government and the Riigikogu.
Choosing March 4th as the day of abdication comes across as somewhat of a surprise. The first fitting date could have been today, as the government held an extraordinary morning meeting regarding the distribution of EU money.
According to Mr Ansip, the date is delayed till Shrove Tuesday due to the President’s schedule.
This week holds several events weighty for Reform Party: on Saturday, March 1st, the party’s council will gather; on Sunday, the «squirrels» sit down for their general assembly. By then, Reform Party’s parliamentary faction has had time to shape and to utter its opinion, the same goes for its regional organisations.
At the general assembly held in Tallinn, Siim Kallas has promised to present his views. The current EU transportation commissioner, Mr Kallas informed party cadre and public, last week, of his readiness to assume offices of both prime minister and Reform Party chairman.
Even so, the party gets no new boss this Sunday, as electing him isn’t on the agenda. The agenda needs to have been conformed a month before a general assembly is held.
Thus, Mr Ansip will probably remain Reform Party’s chairman till the fall, when the next ordinary general assembly comes up. He could be removed earlier, should the party opt to hold an extraordinary general assembly.
Government of Estonia holds its sessions on Thursdays. Therefore, Mr Ansip, on March 4th, to announce his is stepping down. That, however, will not mean automatic release from duties – The President will ask him to continue leading the government until the new one is in place.
During that entire time, Mr Kallas could hold talks to form the new coalition.
To find the new prime ministerial candidate, The President has 14 days. Office of the President affirmed on Sunday, already, that as soon as President Ilves gets resignation papers from Mr Ansip, he will immediately launch into consultations with all parliamentary parties to find the new prime ministerial candidate.
That said, it is obvious that the frontrunner (not to say the only candidate) for prime minister is Siim Kallas. Reform Party isn’t the most popular party at the moment; still, they hold the most seats in Riigikogu.
In theory, Estonia could be governed by a minority government as well; even so, the version feels unlikely at the moment.
Curiously, Riigikogu holds no sessions the next week. Thus, the prime minister will probably inform the parliament of his decision by letter.
In his Sunday speech, Mr Ansip thanked the people of Estonia. He said: «Words fail me to express how glorious, and how warm is the feeling of having been granted the opportunity to lead the government for so many years – over a third of the lifespan of Estonia after its regained independence. This I take to be a sign of trust by the people, for which I am heartily grateful. This, I tale as a sign of support by party comrades, of willingness to cooperate by coalition partners, and of respect by the opposition.»
In his speech, Mr Ansip looked back at accomplishments during him being prime minister. Most of all, he underlined three issues: the state finances being in order; the increased security; and achievements in developing the digital society.
«I have been able to do all that I wanted to do,» the prime minister confided to Postimees. «I consider my governments highly effective. We have accomplished several vital reforms so that the people have understood these and embraced these. At the same time, this has its dark side – to a part of the nation, it has felt like there has been no reforms.»
After leaving the Stenbock House, Andrus Ansip may end up as Siim Kallas’ replacement as temporary EU commissioner. «This, however, cannot be taken for granted at all – that someone becomes commissioner in the stead of Siim Kallas, should Mr Kallas become the next prime minister,» noted Mr Ansip. «Basically, the seat may also be left vacant.»
In any case, Mr Ansip has a place secured, in Riigikogu.
Estonia’s prime Ministers – how were they changed?
Prime minister Left office Reason
Edgar Savisaar January 1992 Lost support in supreme council.
Tiit Vähi October 1992 Term in office expired. Lost at elections.
Mart Laar November 1994 No confidence by Riigikogu, with votes 60:27, following the rouble scandal.
Andres Tarand April 1995 Term expired. Lost the elections.
Tiit Vähi November 1995 Stepped down following the taping scandal. Became prime minister again.
Tiit Vähi March 1997 Following the apartment scandal, won confidence vote 46:45, but still stepped down.
Mart Siimann March 1999 Term expired. Lost elections.
Mart Laar January 2002 Stepped down, having lost Reform Party confidence as coalition partner.
Siim Kallas April 2003 Term expired. Lost elections.
Juhan Parts April 2005 Stepped down, after no confidence at Riigikogu by 54:0 regarding justice minister due to his quota-scandal.
Andrus Ansip April 2007 Term expired. Won elections. Became prime minister again.
Andrus Ansip April 2011 Term expired. Won elections, became prime minister again.
Andrus Ansip Steps down at his own decision.